Labcorp recently confirmed an expansion of its automated clinical trial kit production line in a Mechelen, Belgium-based operations center, according to a press release.
“This added capacity, a key component of our global growth and expansion strategy, supports our customers’ needs for faster, more convenient clinical trial testing and delivery across EMEA,” said Jonathan DiVincenzo, president of the Clinical Trial Testing Solutions group at Labcorp Drug Development. “Building up our capabilities in Mechelen means that investigators will experience more flexibility in ordering times and improved regional turnaround times."
The addition will be housed in Lapcorp Drug Development’s European Operations Center. The company tasked with completing the expansion forms part of Labcorp Drug Development.
“The expanded, automated line is housed in Labcorp Drug Development’s European Operations Center, a multi-use facility responsible for kit production as well as study logistics and support and dry ice production and distribution,” a recent press release states.
Once finalized, the expansion will pave the way for clinical trial test kits to be made in Mechelen and be distributed across more than 70 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), representing a 27-territory increase from last year.
The move follows similar, recent expansions in Geneva, Switzerland, Los Angeles and Singapore, all intended to aid global clinical trials.
Following the same global standard and operating procedures in all regions, the kit productions associate with Labcorp Central Laboratory Services will be dispersed into the hands of sponsors and investigators.
The site is credited with producing more than 1.1 million European trial kits for clinical research since its establishment in March 2021, supporting studies covering various illnesses, including oncology, diabetes, kidney disease and autoimmune conditions.
“Finding innovative ways to help our pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers bring transformational therapies to the patients who need them quickly and safely is critical,” said Dr. Paul Kirchgraber, CEO of Labcorp Drug Development. “The European Operations Center expands Labcorp Central Laboratory Services’ capacity and supports future business growth for the enterprise. It builds on our business continuity infrastructure, providing additional flexibility in the event of disruptions or unexpected surges in demand.”