Central Labs And Outsourcing: An Overview

By Tim Eggert

Conducting a clinical trial is a formidable undertaking, necessitating intricate processes, challenging logistics, and scientific rigor throughout the lengthy and costly enterprise. Entire industries have formed to alleviate the burden on sponsors and manage the complexities of trials. An important facet of clinical trials is the collection, analysis, and reporting of specimens from participants. These tasks are typically administered by a central lab, a laboratory that supplies specimen collection kits, logistics services, safety alerts, and a wide variety of testing and reporting services. When conducting trials, organizing these collections and laboratory services can be yet another daunting task, especially if the study covers multiple geographies. Presented with another complexity, how exactly do trial administrators navigate the logistical and operational challenges of central lab testing requirements?