Key learnings from ECHA's review of the EOGRTS (OECD Test Guideline 443)

The extended one-generation reproductive toxicity study (EOGRTS) per OECD Test Guideline 443 is a crucial test for evaluating potential reproductive and developmental effects of chemicals. Recently, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) conducted an extensive review of EOGRTS  studies to assess the effectiveness of this test guideline and provide recommendations for improvement. This blog post summarizes  key learnings from ECHA's review and the impacts on current and future EOGRTS study design.

The three lab stewardship utilization rights: Underutilization in focus

Laboratory testing is critically important to a person’s healthcare journey. In fact, lab test results inform 70% of medical decisions despite only accounting for less than 3% of healthcare spending.However, with the great power of the lab, comes great fiscal responsibility. In this article, Todd Berman, payor solutions director of stewardship strategies at Labcorp, outlines the three lab stewardship rights, with an in-depth look at underutilization.

Nonclinical study in juvenile cynomolgus monkeys for a postmarketing requirement from FDA for gadolinium-based contrast agents

ETS 2024 -- In December 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested the four gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) NDA holders to further investigate the effects of gadolinium (Gd) retention on fetal and neonatal development in mice and juvenile nonhuman primates (NHP) to evaluate the potential effect of GBCAs on behavioral, neurological and histopathological changes. The studies performed in mice have been previously presented and the results of the NHP study are presented here.

Assessment of the correlation of the infant body weight with maternal body weight development in the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) in the context of DART evaluation

ETS 2024 -- Developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART) studies are required by regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for drugs to be used by women of childbearing age or men of reproductive potential. The enhanced pre- and postnatal developmental (ePPND) study design with pregnant nonhuman primates (NHPs) is the predominant default DART study type since the release of ICH S6(R1). Infant growth is a key parameter in developmental toxicity testing in addition to pregnancy outcome in ePPND studies. Growth development is usually evaluated via the assessment of several endpoints such as body weight and length. This work explores whether there is a correlation between infant and maternal body weight development.

Development of using 3D scanning, 3D printing and computer modelling techniques to improve inhalation systems

AIT 2024 -- Labcorp has many years of experience performing nonclinical inhalation safety studies, and animal welfare is always of the utmost importance. There is a drive to improve animal welfare and study integrity, which aids study interpretation. At Labcorp, some of the developmental techniques that we have used over the years are 3D scanning, 3D printing and Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modelling. These development techniques have allowed us to improve large animal facemask and rodent restraint tube design and help us to better understand animal inhalation exposure systems.

A new 30-color spectral flow cytometry panel for T cell therapy phenotypic characterization

CAR-TCR Summit 2024 -- Spectral flow cytometers have immunophenotypic analysis with panels exceeding 30 colors to provide deep insights into the immune response. Labcorp has developed a 30-color immunophenotyping panel using the Cytek Aurora Spectral Flow Cytometer. The panel backbone includes one viability dye and ten lineage markers to profile T cell, NK and B cell subsets. Nineteen additional functional markers enable the characterization of activation, exhaustion, cytotoxicity and proliferation in each subset, plus memory T cell subset delineation. Explore the data in this poster that demonstrates how spectral flow cytometry can be applied to assess T cell therapies in studies that span in vitro assessments, preclinical tumor-bearing mouse models, through clinical trials.

Labcorp Expands Molecular Bioanalytical Laboratory in Greenfield, Indiana

BURLINGTON, N.C., Sept. 18, 2024 – Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services, announced today the expansion of its molecular bioanalytical laboratory in Greenfield, Indiana. 

ATN Profile: For and beyond Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60%-70% of dementia cases.1 Blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) specific to AD pathology, such as beta-amyloid 42/40 and pTau217, are now available to clinicians. But this still leaves up to 40% of patients with clinical signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or possible dementia without answers.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Announces Relationship with Labcorp to Provide Members Best Overall Value for Outpatient Lab-Related Services

BIRMINGHAM, AL, Sept. 17, 2024 – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s mission is to provide our members access to high quality, affordable care, delivered by the most cost-effective healthcare providers.