How Are Biorepositories Shaping the Future of Clinical Trials?

In recent times, there has been a significant rise in the number of clinical trials globally due to the growing prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing demand for advanced treatments. These clinical trials need a number of things, including protocol, regulatory authority approval, human resources, and essential documents, amongst others.

Biorepositories and archiving solutions are a vital part of clinical trials as they provide the biospecimens and data to support research and trials. In this blog, we explain to you the basics of biorepositories and archiving solutions. Also, we shed light on the key processes and focus areas for providers of clinical trial biorepositories and archiving solutions. Read on!

Top Clinical Trial Biorepository & Archiving Solutions Companies

Thermo Fisher Scientific, LabCorp, BioStorage Technologies, Brooks Life Sciences, QIAGEN, VWR International (part of Avantor), Sartorius AG, Hamilton Company, and Precision Biobank are some of the key providers of clinical trial biorepository & archiving solutions. These companies leverage their extensive product portfolio and expertise to expand their global reach. Also, they focus on technological advancements and comprehensive service offerings to maintain their competitive edge. Some of the latest market developments are:

• June 2024: Cryport announced the expansion of its Pont-du-Chateau unit in France. The expansion is set to significantly increase the facility’s capacity and improve its bioservice and biostorage services.
• April 2024: LabConnect announced the acquisition of scientific consultancy firm A4P Consulting Ltd (A4P). A4P has extensive expertise in bioanalytical and biosample project management for pre-clinical and clinical trials.

What Are Biorepositories and Archiving Solutions?

A biorepository, also known as a biobank, is essentially a library that collects, stores, and catalogs samples of biological material. The biological samples can take the form of blood, tissue, urine, cells, and protein from animals, humans, or plants for lab research. If the samples are from individuals, medical information may also be recorded along with their consent to use in lab samples. Donors to biorepositories may include patients, their siblings with no disease, and parents or other close relatives.

Archiving solutions are facilities and services meant for storing, managing, and preserving research data for clinical R&D. They are important for clinical trials and research studies that need ongoing analysis or follow-up. Archiving solutions make use of encryption and access control to protect sensitive information. With these solutions, it’s easy for clinical teams to access data from any location at any time.

Key Processes of Biorepositories

Biorepositories have four main operations, which include the collection, processing, storage, and distribution of biological samples. Below, we’ve explained each of these:

Collection: Also known as accession, the collection phase arrives when the sample reaches the lab. Information about the sample is recorded in the lab information management system to keep track of all the samples present in the biorepository. Typical information recorded about the specimen includes the specimen’s origin and its arrival time and date at the biorepository.

Processing: This biorepository operation involves the standardization of specimens to minimize handling variations. It may prepare the specimen for long-term storage. For example, the processing of DNA samples into a salt buffer is done to make the DNA stabilize for storage.

Storage and Inventory: This process is responsible for holding all the samples before they are requested via a distribution network. The inventory system comprises small storage boxes that are stored in laboratory freezers of various types.

Distribution: During the distribution process, one or more biorepository samples are derived from the inventory system.

Focus Areas for Biorepository and Archiving Facility Providers

The top biorepository and archiving facility solution providers need to focus on continuous innovation to offer better solutions and improved technologies. This requires the incorporation of established fundamentals with innovation to develop effective and sustainable approaches, including:

Scalable Capacity: The storage facility of biorepository and archiving solution providers must be sufficient for current requirements. Also, it needs to be scalable to meet future demands.

Flexible Storage: In order to ensure the needed standards for new testing and research, stable and compliant storage facilities with ultra-low temperatures are needed.

Adaptable Techniques: The archiving and retrieval techniques must be able to meet the previously unconsidered storage challenges. This is important to ensure effective research and clinical test-friendly storage samples.

Infrastructure: The capabilities of advanced biorepository and archiving facility providers must be backed by a robust infrastructure. Also, the infrastructure needs to meet regulatory requirements with safeguarding like backup systems to ensure the security of important research assets.

Strategic Locations: Advanced biorepository and archiving experiences demand from all across the globe. As a result, strategic locations are a vital necessity to cater to the global demands.

Benefits of Biorepositories and Archiving Solutions

Clinical trials Biorepository and archiving solutions can offer several benefits. These include:

Collaborative Research: Biorepositores offer well-characterized samples that enable scientists and pharma companies to work together and develop advanced therapeutics and biomarkers.

Data Management: Archiving solutions assist in managing the vast data amounts generated during clinical trials. The data can take several forms, including lab results, patient data, and imaging data, amongst others.

Patient Records: Archiving solutions assist in the maintenance of comprehensive patient records. This can help with accurate diagnoses and enhance healthcare delivery.

Adaptability: Biorepositories are adaptable and can be adjusted to meet evolving needs, such as changes in collection, handling, and storage conditions.

Automation: Automated biobanks can be used to protect sample integrity and security and make effective use of space and energy.

Customization: Biorepositories can be customized to meet the specific research requirements.

Identifying Biomarkers Efficiently

Biorepository and archiving experts currently offer vital support to various research trials. But, the future needs continuing innovations and advances that will help tackle research challenges. As such, more biorepository and archiving solution facilities are making significant investments in flexible and scalable storage and archiving capabilities to meet the emerging demand.