About Us

Overview

Sinclair Research offers specialty biomedical research services in a large range of species encompassing most categories of applied human and veterinary medicine. Preclinical research services and preclinical studies compose a significant portion of our repertoire. Our uniqueness includes our broad experience, the availability of multiple animal models, and the largest herds of miniature swine in the United States. We remain flexible and can tailor our efforts to almost any special procedure that is requested or designed. We strive to retain our customers through competitive cost, strong communication, timeliness, and responsive programs.

History

Sinclair Research Center is a privately owned biomedical research facility located in Central Missouri. Sinclair was formed in 1964 by the University of Missouri and originally named the Sinclair Comparative Medical Research Farm (SCMRF). Its primary function was to provide laboratory animal research support for the University’s Environmental Health Surveillance Center (EHSC) and the Environmental Trace Substance Research Center (ETSRC). These three entities collaborated to monitor for epidemiological evidences of environmental related illnesses (EHSC), analyzing samples to detect trace amounts of substances that could be related to illnesses (ETSRC), and the use of laboratory animal models to test the hypotheses (SCMRF). This environmental toxicology services concept was remarkably farsighted and it remains valid today. 

Through the years, Sinclair’s role expanded and became a resource for a wide variety of human and animal health related research and became deeply involved in the development and use of animal models. The private sector quickly realized the unique resource of Sinclair and dedicated professionals privatized Sinclair Research Center on March 1st 1994 as a successful contract research organization (CRO) and animal production facility.

Sinclair is committed to efficiency, confidentiality, and rapid, accurate service. Our desire is to work closely with our clients to achieve long-term mutually beneficial relationships.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

Sinclair is fully GLP-compliant and our personnel have many years of GLP experience. Sinclair has an independent Quality Assurance Unit that audits the facility, protocols, in-life critical phases, raw data, and reports for GLP studies. Sinclair is inspected by the FDA on a regular basis.

Sinclair utilizes the following data capture and SEND dataset creation systems:

• Pristima® Version 7.1 or newer
• SEND Savante ™ 7.4.0 BUILD 16

Sinclair Research Center is proud to offer GLP data sets in SEND (Standard for Exchange of Nonclinical Data) format for submission to the FDA, which supports faster and better quality regulatory review. We use Xybion’s suite of programs, notably Pristima® and SEND Savante™ for quality data acquisition, reporting and dataset creation. Our dedicated study data team works in-house to ensure your data, from collection to submission, is accurately converted to SEND format. Systems are validated and have been assessed for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. Data capture using the Xybion suite of programs allows Sinclair to provide cost effective and compliant management and oversight of studies.

Sinclair has a Strong Commitment to Animal Welfare

At Sinclair we are all strongly committed to animal welfare and we have a documented quality animal care program that includes a ‘Code of Respect’ for all our animals. Our commitment to adhere to and exceed the highest ethical and scientific standards is demonstrated by our outstanding veterinary care program, our full compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, and our accreditation by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC International).

High Quality Animal Care

Our animal care programs at Sinclair Research are maintained at the highest level at all times. This is confirmed by the excellent ratings we receive from our regulatory inspections. Everyone at Sinclair is strongly committed to animal welfare; we have a documented quality animal care program that includes a ‘Code of Respect’ (listed below) for all our animals. Our commitment to adhere to and exceed the highest ethical and scientific standards is demonstrated by our outstanding veterinary care program, our full compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, and our continuing accreditation by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC International). Clinical pathology and veterinary services are offered on-site to support our high standard of animal care.

Animal Code of Respect

As a leading provider of preclinical drug and device testing services, we recognize and embrace the legal and moral obligation to assure that all animals in our care are treated in accordance with all applicable regulations and with high standards of compassion and respect. Sinclair maintains full AAALAC accreditation and meets or exceeds USDA and Public Health Service (PHS) standards. In addition to adhering to regulatory expectations, this obligation is scientifically important, as failure to meet these regulations and standards can impact the quality of scientific research. Toward that end, all employees at Sinclair are committed to following these principles:

• We will treat animals in our care with the utmost respect. We honor the contribution that these animals make to lifesaving advances and will in turn treat them with the respect that they deserve.
• We will strictly follow all applicable regulations and standards for animal treatment.
• We will not conduct research on animals when validated alternatives are available, or when the potential benefit of the research is unclear. When animal research is scientifically valid, we will employ the “three R’s” principals to animal use: replacement, reduction, and refinement.
• We will work, in a manner consistent with the study protocol and good science, to reduce discomfort or stress to animals in our care, and provide a nurturing, comfortable, and enriched animal environment.
• We will train all Sinclair employees who handle animals on proper techniques and will apply appropriate controls to ensure that all procedures as well as this Code of Respect are followed. We will encourage employees to report any misconduct or failure to adhere to this Code of Respect.
• If we learn that we or any of our employees have failed to follow this Code of Respect, we will take appropriate remedial and disciplinary action.

Facilities

Sinclair Research Center offers clients more than 300,000 square feet of dedicated research and production facilities  on a 650-acre research campus.  Our facility is AAALAC accredited, FDA and USDA inspected and supports Non-GLP and GLP compliant studies.

Sinclair moved operations to this location in 2004 and has a dedicated Facilities department focused on continual upgrades to buildings and equipment as well as new construction to ensure our clients have access to the support their research requires to get to their next milestone. Sinclair additionally operates a satellite miniature swine breeding facility in Maine.

Certifications

Sinclair Research maintains certifications, licensure and successful audits and inspections from many agencies. These include:

• AAALAC accredited
• USDA
• DEA
• FDA
• EPA
• OSHA
• State of Missouri agencies

Research Staff

Sinclair Research has a friendly, experienced, and motivated multidisciplinary scientific, veterinary, and research staff who provide you with quality study execution, excellent communication, and timely reporting. Experienced study directors and principal investigators, aided by support staff, maintain full control over each individual study through vertical management. Complementing the research personnel are competent veterinary staff members who participate in all studies by conducting procedures, collecting samples, and maintaining animal health. Qualified laboratory animal personnel skilled in husbandry provide care for the animals. A full training program is in place and all personnel have current training records.

Sinclair boasts board-certified veterinarians, medical doctors, and PhD scientists ensuring the in-house skill and expertise are at the highest level possible. Sinclair also relies on a network of board-certified consulting veterinarians for more specialized disciplines: a cardiologist offers on-site echocardiography consulting, an ophthalmologist examines the eyes of animals on regulatory GLP studies, and pathologists conduct the necropsies. Additionally, we have experienced clinical pathology staff and GLP clinical pathology services on-site. Contract histopathology services are also utilized as required.

Scientific Leadership Team

Executive Team

Client Testimonials