Mike T

Five Important Factors for Sample Kitting and Transporting Biosamples

by

Biosamples can be precious and potentially irreplaceable. Which is why careful consideration should always be taken when selecting a partner for sample kitting and transport. In this article we will explore five factors that must be considered to ensure you biological samples arrive on time and maintain sample integrity.

1: Appropriate Sample Collection Kitting

At Sampled we offer over 500 unique collection kits that clients can choose from to meet their needs. However, clients are also able to customize each one of these sample kits to suit any bespoke needs they may have. This ability to adapt to a client’s needs is not something many transportation companies possess. However, we work with a broad range of clients from academics to pharmaceutical companies and this means that we have become experts at meeting their requirements. Most of our kits have been designed solely for one type of sample, giving clients piece of mind that their samples are correctly being kitted before being transported.

2: User Friendly Specimen Collection

It isn’t enough to be able to carry samples at the right temperature or be able to send a cryoshipper that records the internal temperature for the duration of the sample’s journey. What is also required is a collection kit that is easy to understand and use by researchers. We understand this, which is why we structure collections so that kits come as one box with everything inside that you need to store your samples correctly and safely. This means our clients aren’t wasting their time trying to make sense of instructions, instead they refer to a one-page document that shows how to package samples with detailed images and without the need to refer to MOPs.

3: Protecting Sample Integrity

To maintain sample integrity, different types of biological samples have different needs, some samples maybe solid, liquid or fragile, others may need to be kept at ultra-low temperatures and others survive best at room temperature. Which is why we have designed and produced over 500 hundred different collection kits that not only serve to hold the sample but keep them from becoming damaged too. We can ship anywhere between one and tens of thousands of samples inside anything from secure boxes to cryoshippers that can be tracked from the moment they leave a site, through to when they arrive at our facility. It’s safe to say we are experts in sample storage as we are even able to ship GMP cell lines and physical liquid nitrogen tanks or freezers that contain samples too.

4: Flexible Biological Sample Transportation

Since we have a dedicated team who work solely on developing and tracking collection kits, Sampled has become experts in the field of biosample transportation. We work with the biggest couriers on the planet including UPS, DHL, FedEx and Biocare and have established protocols in place to ensure samples get to their destination in a timely fashion. Thanks to our years of experience, our dedicated logistics team can monitor any delays and resolve courier issues since they have a wealth of experience with international customs and regulations. This means that clients no longer have to wait on hold while trying to get in touch with their courier since we are able to take care of everything.

5: Rapid Bioprocessing

Once samples arrive at their final destination, their journey doesn’t simply end there. We collaborate with clients to seamlessly process samples for either bioprocessing or storage too should they require it. We are able to color code labels and documents for site users to fit their way of working, allowing them to understand exactly where and what level of processing has occurred with the samples they have entrusted with us. Not only do these labels and documents help make auditing less of a daunting prospect, but the correctly QR labelled samples allow for automated handlers to start processing samples as soon as they arrive out our site, saving time and resources for the client.

If you’re interested in learning more about transporting or storing your samples at one of our sites, please get in contact with one of our kitting and transporting team here

Sampled Appoints Sarah Hersey, VP, Head of Translational Sciences & Diagnostics at Bristol Myers Squibb, as its First Independent Director

by

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – June 15th, 2022: Infinity BiologiX LLC d/b/a Sampled SMART Labs, announced today the appointment of Sarah Hersey, a 25-year life sciences veteran, to its Board of Directors as its first Independent Director.  

Sarah brings a wealth of experience in precision medicine and biopharmaceutical research and development gained from leadership positions throughout the pharmaceutical industry.  Sarah joins current Board members Robin Grimwood, Co-Founder and CEO and Brian Rose, Managing Director, Viking Global.

“Appointing Sarah to our board adds a wealth of experience to our business as we continue with our growth strategy,” said Robin Grimwood, Sampled’s CEO.  “We are particularly excited to have Sarah bring her insights in precision medicine, to help guide our expanding service offerings.  We welcome Sarah and are very excited to have her on our Board of Directors.”

“I am thrilled to be joining Sampled’s Board of Directors at such a significant time for the company,” said Sarah Hersey.  “Sampled’s vision of making it faster and easier for health innovators to improve human health guides the company in its future growth, and I look forward to applying my experience in precision medicine and translational science in helping Sampled realize this vision.”

Sarah is an accomplished leader and is responsible for leading a world-class research and development team of over one hundred scientists including MDs and PhDs supporting translational sciences and diagnostics.  Sarah is currently at Bristol Myers Squibb serving as Vice President, Head of Translational Sciences and Diagnostics, where she leads a team that supported more than twenty drug approvals, top-line results and other key regulatory milestones in a single year during the Pandemic. Prior to Bristol Myers she was Head of Precision Medicine, Vice President at Celgene (which was acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2019) where she built and led a world-class precision medicine team. Prior to Celgene, Sarah was the Global Head of Future Precision Medicine at Novartis where she developed innovative solutions to support accurate and precise use of advanced diagnostic platforms, such as NGS.  Prior to Novartis, Sarah held multiple positions at Johnson & Johnson, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, and Charles River Laboratories. Sarah received an MS, Biology, Biochemistry from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She received a BS in Chemistry from Northern Illinois University.

About Sampled:

Sampled is a next-generation laboratory that unlocks the valuable data in any biological sample. Through our integrated Sampled SMART Lab services, we can Store, Manage, Analyze, Research and Transport biological materials, offering partners a seamless solution for all research samples. Our vision is a world where we make it faster and easier for health innovators to improve human health, with a mission to be behind every transformative health innovation. Sampled is headquartered in Piscataway, N.J. with labs across the US and Europe and partner labs in the Netherlands, China and Australia.

Infinity BiologiX LLC, Roylance Stability Storage Limited and Roylance Scientific Limited are doing business as Sampled.

For more information, please visit www.sampled.com 

Media Contact: Mike Thurogood Mike.Thurogood@sampled.com

Sampled Expand Global Footprint with New Lab in UK

by

NEW LAB OPENING BRINGS EXPANDED CAPABILITIES TO EUROPEAN CLIENTS

  • 3000sqft Sampled SMART Lab expansion based in UK
  • New capabilities for European clients focussed on biosample research and analysis
  • Capabilities include genomics, epigenomics, PBMC isolation, bioprocessing, DNA/RNA extraction and sample storage

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – June 29, 2022: Infinity BiologiX LLC d/b/a Sampled SMART Labs, open new lab in Glasgow, UK. The facility, based in Glasgow, UK, is a state-of-the-art 3000sqft biosample research and analysis lab focussed on the delivery of Sampled Smart Labs service offerings to European clients. Established in BioCity, Scotland’s incubator for life sciences, the lab is surrounded by innovation and houses the latest in genomics and bioprocessing technologies.

“Since the acquisition of Roylance Pharma on the same site and subsequent rebranding to Sampled, this expansion is the first major step in proudly rolling out our Sampled SMART Labs in the UK. We’ve seen tremendous growth as an organization both commercially and operationally so launching a new lab to accelerate our UK based European operations by leveraging the expertise from our other sites is exactly how we’ll take our business to the next level, and beyond.” Said Benedict Roylance, Sampled Chief Strategy Officer.

“I would like to say a huge congratulations to everyone involved in getting the new lab open for the business of offering expanded support to our European clients. This opening sets the tone for how we will look to further expand our business and the Sampled SMART Labs concept globally.” Said Robin Grimwood, Sampled CEO.

Set up to handle a wide range of client projects, the new lab is equipped with leading technologies from a number of providers including the; Illumina sequencing platforms, ThermoFisher QuantStudio Real-time PCR system, Perkin Elmer Chemagic 360 & JANUS G3, Unchained Labs Lunatic, Hamilton Microlab STAR, SPT Apricot Liquid Handlers and many more. These technologies are leveraged using the Sampled SMART Lab concept which puts the sample at the heart of lab operations and focuses on the Storage, Management, Analysis, Research and Transport of biosamples.

About Sampled:

Sampled is a next-generation laboratory that unlocks the valuable data in any biological sample. Through our integrated “Sampled SMART Lab” services, we can Store, Manage, Analyze, Research and Transport biological materials, offering partners a seamless solution for all research samples. Our vision is a world where we make it faster and easier for health innovators to improve human health, with a mission for Sampled SMART Labs to be behind every transformative health innovation. Sampled is headquartered in Piscataway, N.J. with labs across the US and Europe and partner labs in the Netherlands, China and Australia.

Infinity BiologiX LLC, Roylance Stability Storage Limited and Roylance Scientific Limited are doing business as Sampled.

For more information, please visit www.sampled.com 

New York State Tissue Bank Certification

by

New York State (NYS) has issued our Sampled SMART Lab in New Jersey with an NYS Tissue Bank License certificate for tissue bank operation. Facilities are required to hold this license if they handle, preserve or test human tissue samples originating from or going to residents within NYS and is awarded by the NYS Department of Health.

This license enables our biorepository to handle the following categories of human biosamples:

  • Reproductive tissues
  • Hematopoietic progenitor cells

This licensing adds to a string of other important certifications, licenses and accreditations that #TeamSampled are proud to hold, as well as following industry best practices from organizations such as ISBER.

Published Research Shows Initial Results from SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance Studies Support U.S. Public Health Initiatives

by

INNOVATIVE RESPONSE SUPPORTS FUTURE RESPONSES AGAINST SIMILAR PANDEMIC THREATS

  • First results from the CDC SARS-CoV-2 U.S. variant surveillance program to be published
  • Positive COVID samples sequenced for variant surveillance in general public
  • Samples processed using industry first EUA saliva collection & assay methodology for SARS-CoV-2

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – April 26th, 2022: Infinity BiologiX LLC d/b/a Sampled, a next generation SMART Lab, and co-authors report results from the CDC SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance program.

In May 2020, Sampled received the first Saliva based EUA for industry leading COVID-19 testing and has tested over 12 million samples to date. In March of 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contracted with Sampled and other large commercial diagnostics labs to sequence the viral genome of SARS-CoV-2 positive patient samples across the U.S.  Sampled has sequenced over 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes as part of this program. In the recent peer reviewed study published and co-authored by Goswami and Sheldon et al in BMC Infectious Disease, entitled ‘Identification of SARS‑CoV‑2 variants using viral sequencing for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention genomic surveillance program’ the authors highlight the importance of sequencing platform, sample collection methods and RT-PCR results in guiding variant surveillance efforts.

“These surveillance studies evaluating genetic changes of SARS‑CoV‑2 have been identified as critical by the CDC and impacts many aspects of public health including transmission, disease severity, diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. Working with industry leading sequencing technologies and protocols such as the Illumina COVIDSeq™ were critical to support these initiatives.” Said Shareef Nahas, Chief Scientific Officer at Sampled and the corresponding author.

“This research shows the value of the scientific community coming together to find innovative solutions in response to events that impact public health. As an organization we are focused on the storage, management, analysis, research and transport of biological samples through our Sampled SMART Labs concept to make it faster and easier for health innovators to improve human health.” Said Robin Grimwood, Chief Executive Officer, Sampled.

The study is now available publicly and can be downloaded directly from the BMC Infectious Diseases website https://rdcu.be/cL6fu. This research marks an important contribution to future responses to similar pandemic level threats to global public health.  It is the first publication from the CDC SARS-CoV-2 U.S. variant surveillance program.

About Sampled:

Sampled is a next-generation laboratory that unlocks the valuable data in any biological sample. Through our integrated Sampled SMART Lab, we can Store, Manage, Analyze, Research and Transport biological materials, offering partners a seamless solution for all research samples. Our vision is a world where we make it faster and easier for health innovators to improve human health, Sampled SMART Labs mission is to be the lab behind every transformative health innovation. Sampled is headquartered in Piscataway, N.J. with labs across the US and Europe and partner labs in the Netherlands, China and Australia.

Infinity BiologiX LLC, Roylance Stability Storage Limited and Roylance Scientific Limited are doing business as Sampled.

For more information, please visit www.sampled.com  Media Contact: Mike Thurogood Mike.Thurogood@sampled.com

Sampled at ISBER 2022

by

We are proud to announce that four upcoming talks and a poster will be presented at ISBER 2022, which will be returning to the in-person conference setting in Atlanta, Georgia. Filled with innovative technology news and research findings that cover a wide range of disciplines from biorepository news, to assay development and stem cell banking, you won’t want to miss these presentations. Kicking off the series of talks, CEO of Sampled, Robin Grimwood will present his plenary talk “Innovative strategies for protecting sample integrity with an eye towards the future”. Robin will discuss why ensuring samples are available as an active resource for analytical studies, whilst continuously innovating strategies to create renewable resources for future use and discovery is crucial for biorepositories to succeed.

ISBER 2022 Will be hosted in Atlanta

Following this, Head of Scientific affairs, Dr Michael Sheldon will be partnering with Fluidigm (now Standard Biotools) to give a workshop that address sample identity and sample quality challenges. Here, Dr Sheldon will be covering what best practices should be followed involving genetic testing and Quality Control in a biobanking environment. A discussion on the need for, and challenges involving high-throughput solutions for polygenetic risk testing will be given by Christian Bixby and Jess McDevitt. Christian and Jess will explain how Sampled achieved an impressive 10-fold increase in NGS COVID sequencing weekly capacity over a 30-day period and what it took to complete this incredible feat.

The final talk, “Strategies for generating the highest quality isogenic iPSC lines” will be given by Dr Azadeh Jadali. Similarly,  a poster titled: “Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells- The next step in the modelling of genetic diseases” will be also presented throughout the duration of the conference.

We’re honored to see the expertise within the Sampled team recognised by ISBER and excited to share and gain insights from our contemporaries look forward to sharing our insights on biobanking in practice, but if you can’t wait to learn more, why not check out our brand new website to learn about our Sampled SMART Labs.

Register for the conference directly with ISBER here.