It's not the company that applies for the ethics approvals, it's...

It's not the company that applies for the ethics approvals, it's the researchers at the site where the study is to be done. Here in Oz, we've had private companies granting ethics approvals for several years. I imagine it is no different in the States. It's still the same standard application, it's just that the certifier is not a hospital or university ethics committee. It's kind of similar to getting the building extensions on your house certified. You can go through local council and wait for weeks or months or you can pay extra and use a private certifier who will probably get it done within a few days.