The Littoral Clinical Research Institute (IRCL) is a private clinical research organization specialized in interventional studies in the field of natural health products and nutraceuticals. The institute also offers expertise in biological, epidemiological studies and longitudinal disease registries.
The IRCL has two research sites, one located in Rimouski in Bas St-Laurent and one in Maria, Gaspésie. The two teams are made up of an academic researcher, a doctor, a nurse and a coordinator trained in ICH Good Clinical Practices (GCP).

IRCL was founded in 2020 after four years of clinical research as SCF Pharma.
SCF Pharma is a Rimouski company that specializes in omega-3 monoglycerides. The company set up a clinical research department in 2016 to pursue the development of its patented products, in particular omega-3 monoglycerides (MAG-EPA/MAG-DHA).
Over the years that followed, a quality system was built (quality plan & SOPs), research teams were gathered in Maria and Rimouski, then the NEMO software was created specifically to capture research data and manage clinical activities.
In 2019, an analysis agreement was concluded with the Optilab laboratories of the Maria and Rimouski hospitals in order to have access to the health network's analysis directory.
In 2020, having in hand everything necessary to carry out clinical research according to the standards and regulation in Canada, the management of SCF Pharma founded the IRCL in order to offer its skills to other researchers.