Privacy Policy
Effective Date: December 2024 | Last Updated: December 2024
Contact Information
LyfeSci Research & Innovation
250 Parkway Drive, Ste. 150
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
For privacy-related inquiries, please contact us through our contact page.
1. Introduction and Scope
LyfeSci Research & Innovation ("LyfeSci," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information, including Protected Health Information (PHI) as defined under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information in compliance with:
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations (21 CFR Parts 11, 50, 56, 312, 314)
- International Council for Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP)
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where applicable
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) where applicable
- State and federal privacy laws
2. Types of Information We Collect
Protected Health Information (PHI)
In our role as a clinical research organization, we may collect, process, and maintain PHI including:
- Medical records and health information
- Clinical trial data and research results
- Demographic information linked to health data
- Laboratory results and diagnostic information
- Treatment and medication information
- Adverse event reports
Personal Information
- Contact information (name, email, phone, address)
- Professional information (company, title, credentials)
- Website usage data and analytics
- Communication preferences and history
- Business relationship information
3. How We Use Information
Clinical Research Activities
- Conducting FDA-regulated clinical trials
- Safety monitoring and adverse event reporting
- Regulatory submissions and compliance
- Data analysis and statistical reporting
- Quality assurance and audit activities
Business Operations
- Providing clinical research services
- Client communication and support
- Service improvement and development
- Legal and regulatory compliance
- Business relationship management
4. HIPAA Compliance and PHI Protection
Business Associate Obligations
LyfeSci serves as a Business Associate under HIPAA for covered entities. We maintain comprehensive safeguards including:
- Administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for PHI
- Employee training on HIPAA compliance and data handling
- Incident response procedures for potential breaches
- Regular security risk assessments and audits
- Secure data transmission and storage protocols
Minimum Necessary Standard
We adhere to the HIPAA minimum necessary standard, using and disclosing only the minimum amount of PHI necessary to accomplish the intended purpose of the use or disclosure.
5. FDA Regulatory Compliance
21 CFR Part 11 Compliance
Our electronic records and signatures systems comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements:
- Validated electronic signature systems
- Audit trails for all electronic records
- System access controls and user authentication
- Data integrity and security measures
- Record retention and retrieval capabilities
Clinical Trial Data Integrity
We maintain clinical trial data in accordance with FDA Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, ensuring data quality, integrity, and traceability throughout the clinical research process.
6. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We may share information in the following circumstances:
Regulatory Authorities
FDA, EMA, and other regulatory agencies as required for clinical trial submissions, safety reporting, and compliance activities.
Authorized Representatives
Sponsors, CROs, investigators, and other authorized parties involved in clinical research activities under appropriate agreements.
Service Providers
Qualified vendors and contractors who assist in our operations under strict confidentiality and security requirements.
Legal Requirements
When required by law, court order, or to protect rights, property, and safety.
7. Data Security Measures
Technical Safeguards
Encryption, access controls, secure networks, and system monitoring
Physical Safeguards
Secure facilities, controlled access, and environmental protections
Administrative Safeguards
Policies, procedures, training, and workforce security measures
8. Individual Rights
Depending on applicable laws and your relationship with us, you may have the following rights:
- Access: Right to access your personal information
- Correction: Right to correct inaccurate information
- Restriction: Right to restrict processing in certain circumstances
- Portability: Right to data portability where applicable
- Objection: Right to object to processing
- Deletion: Right to deletion subject to legal and regulatory requirements
9. Data Retention
We retain information in accordance with:
- FDA regulations requiring clinical trial records retention for at least 2 years after drug approval or investigation discontinuation
- ICH-GCP guidelines for essential document retention
- HIPAA requirements for PHI retention
- Contractual obligations with sponsors and clients
- Applicable state and federal record retention laws
10. International Data Transfers
When transferring data internationally, we implement appropriate safeguards including:
- Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) for GDPR compliance
- Adequacy decisions where available
- Additional security measures for sensitive data
- Compliance with local data protection laws
11. Breach Notification
In the event of a suspected or confirmed data breach involving PHI or personal information, we will:
- Conduct immediate investigation and containment
- Notify affected covered entities within 60 days (HIPAA requirement)
- Notify regulatory authorities as required
- Notify affected individuals when required by law
- Implement corrective measures to prevent future incidents
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or regulatory guidance. We will provide appropriate notice of material changes as required by applicable law.
13. Contact Information
For questions about this Privacy Policy, to exercise your rights, or to report privacy concerns:
Privacy Officer
LyfeSci Research & Innovation
250 Parkway Drive, Ste. 150
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Contact us through our contact page or mark your inquiry as "Privacy-Related."
This Privacy Policy demonstrates our commitment to protecting your privacy while conducting clinical research in compliance with the highest regulatory and ethical standards.