Continued growth in the development of large molecule therapeutics has constrained resources for in vivo studies and in vitro sample analysis. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought renewed urgency to vaccine research and development, emphasizing a need to protect the world against existing, re-emerging and emerging pathogens and accelerate vaccine technology innovations. With the global vaccines market projected to double from 2021 to 2028,1 pressure will increase on services supporting nonclinical development: the COVID-19 vaccine development tools market is predicted to grow annually by nearly 9% over the next six years.2 The desire for a ‘one-stop’ service for in vivo testing and in vitro analysis of the resulting samples is now more apparent than ever.
Optimizing sample analysis for fast, data-driven results
Based on this industry growth and feedback from our clients, we have completely reconfigured our in vitro analytical services in Denver, Pennsylvania. We have invested more than $330,000 on renovating and enhancing our in vitro laboratories with the addition of a state-of-the-art laboratory dedicated to sample analysis. Our clients will now benefit from faster results. At the same time, we continue to invest in our existing tissue culture and immunochemistry labs.
Equipping the new sample analysis laboratory to industry standards has been an opportunity to install the latest generations of key workbench platforms, including:
- The ImmunoSpot® Analyzer from CTL to assess cell-mediated (T-cell) immunity via ELISpot assays or PBMC, and other cell and colony analyses
- Several varieties of ELISA to investigate humoral (B-cell) immune responses using a variety of ligand-binding assays.
- MSD QuickPlex Plate Reader for immunoassays quantifying multiple proteins simultaneously
Cross-training between these three laboratories will streamline development and collaboration so we can continue to provide clients the timeliest and highest quality data far into the future. With these changes to our infrastructure, we are better positioned than ever to attract talented staff to our team and grow the expertise in clients’ studies.
Bringing in vivo studies and in vitro analysis together means clients can now benefit from an end-to-end service at Labcorp’s Denver campus. “We’ve filled the gap to now offer you the entire solution,” says Jim Mellon, director and site lead for Antibody Reagents and Vaccines. “Our one-stop shop gives you a seamless approach, freeing you from the logistics of multiple contracts, varying timelines and start dates, with potential savings in time and money.”
On-site analysis of samples from your in vivo study has other advantages too. The product insights gained during the in vivo study may assist design of the in vitro studies and inform their conclusions. On-site analysis also mitigates the risks with stability and viability associated with freezing and transporting blood and tissue samples to distant laboratories.
“We can now support international business without client concerns about shipping to European or Asia-Pacific laboratories,” adds Mellon.
Continue the partnership for end-to-end support
Once sample analysis is complete, we can supply the data set directly to you or extend the one-stop service further and pass the data to our preclinical colleagues across the globe, to run GLP studies.
Sometimes a client simply needs standalone non-GLP analysis of samples, and we can provide that too. Our new analytical lab can deliver results faster than traditional, regulated bioanalytical service providers and even has the flexibility to process samples that are too small in number for those providers or in unfamiliar tissues.
Interested in how we provided standalone sample analysis in a rare tissue matrix? Read our spotlight on Non-GLP Sample Analysis for Ocular Biodistribution Studies.
Our commitment to growth and scientific innovation means we continue to consider ways to support future client needs beyond this latest renovation. In addition to accommodating its four founder scientists, the sample analysis laboratory has bench space to double this team and to add new equipment as increasingly sophisticated methods come on stream and data requirements expand.
With our investment in expanded and renovated lab facilities and a new analytical team, we will help clients fulfill the demand for vaccine and antibody reagent innovation. Our mission is to provide the fast and flexible end-to-end nonclinical studies you need for maximizing product success.
To learn more about our in vivo studies and in vitro analysis solutions, contact our team about your next Antibody Reagent or Vaccine project.
References
- Vaccines market, size, share and COVID-19 impact analysis. Fortune Business Insights, Report ID: FBI101769, February 2022. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/vaccines-market-101769. Accessed April 2022.
- COVID-19 vaccine development tools market size, share & trends analysis. Grand View Research, Report ID: GVR-4-68038-286-0, July 2021. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/covid-19-vaccine-development-tools-market. Accessed April 2022.