BQC19 | Governance

Governance

BQC19 is a biobank with its own management and governance structure. The governance includes a Governing Committee, a Steering Committee, an independent Data and Sample Access Committee, and an international Scientific Advisory Board. It also includes several sub-committees responsible for mandates ranging from scientific priorities to communication and ethical, legal and social issues. The governance of BQC19 is framed in its Management Framework. Terms of References for accessing samples and data collected within the framework of BQC19 are being completed.

Accountability

The BQC19 reports to the funding agencies and to the multicentric ethics committee that has approved the project. It will also have to undergo an external examination by a committee made up of international experts.

Governing Committee

Composition ¹

Mandate

Define the objectives, phases and milestones of the BQC19 development as well as the performance indicators associated with each of them considering the mission of the BQC19.
State the main priorities for the use of the BQC19, according to its strategic objectives and taking into account the public health emergency as a priority.
Approve the BQC19 access rules.
Ensure open and transparent participation by all research organizations and teams who would like to contribute to the collection, while respecting the Management Framework.
Ensure the adequacy of the activities of the BQC19 in connection with its social mission and its support in responding to the health emergency
Ensure ethical, responsible use consistent with best policy practices and cognizant of the concerns of patient-partners
Ensure the sustainability of the BQC19 (both in terms of human and material resources, etc.).
Ensure the periodic update of the BQC19 Management Framework, based on best practices applied in the Province and internationally (funding agency policies; laws; etc.) and inform funders.
Receive operation reports (ask for international / independent scientific assessments if necessary) and note the achievement of objectives or formulate expectations for their future achievement.
Formulate expectations regarding what will happen to BQC19 once its primary mission has been fulfilled and the pandemic passed (e.g.: ethical and responsible transition plan or termination).

Steering Committee

Composition

Emilia Liana Falcone

COVID-19 long haulers
IRCM /IRCM

Ensure the operations of the BQC19.

International Scientific Advisory Board

Composition

Independent international experts; names to come.

Antoine Flahaut

Chair
Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva

Andrew D. Badley

Member
Mayo Clinic

Mark Daly

Member
Broad Institute

Daniel Douek

Member
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH

Mette Hartlev

Member
Faculty of Law, University of Copenhagen

Gary Kobinger

Member
CR CHUQ /CR CHUQ /CHU de Québec

Vincent Mooser

Member
McGill/CERC

Rosanna Peeling

Member
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Mandate

The main purpose and responsibilities of the ISC include:

Advising the BQC19 Steering Committee on the achievement of its objectives, in alignment with its mission, its governance structure and its infrastructure;
Advising the BQC19 Steering Committee to capitalize on new arising research and on the development of new technologies, taking into account the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and of the global health emergency;
Providing insight to the BQC19 Steering Committee on the relevance of present collaborations and partnerships and the possibilities of futuresuch endeavours;
Critically evaluating the BQC19 performance;
Participating in the evaluation of the BQC19 projects and progress, within the international context, and in the drafting of reports for the BQC19 Governing Committee;
At the end of the BQC19 initial mandate, offering recommendations of future developments.