Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC 2024)

Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC): Providing clarity to complex cancer therapy development

Learn how Labcorp supported development of an ADC targeted chemotherapy and CDx enabling the sponsor to navigate therapy complexity, global trial design and patient selection for a breakthrough cancer treatment.

nAbCyte™ CDx: One-time treatment. Zero room for error.

Learn how Labcorp developed nAbCyte™, the first CDx for a cell-based gene therapy, providing greater access to a potential cure for patients with hemophilia B.

pTau217: Providing critical Alzheimer's diagnosis with key biomarker data

Learn how Labcorp launched pTau217, a highly-accurate blood-based test to detect Alzheimer’s as part of a holistic portfolio of Alzheimer's disease biomarker tests for clinical trial use.

Early phase development solutions: Accelerating answers for a global pandemic

Learn how Labcorp quickly responded to the global COVID-19 pandemic helping a sponsor reduce their IND program from 12 to 5 months. Labcorp further supported Phase I and II trial work for FDA Emergency Use Authorization.

Personalized Medicine Coalition Conference​ (PMC 2024)

LNP vaccine formulation screening for cellular uptake using BODIPY-labelled lipid nanoparticles

CPI RNA Vaccines and Therapeutics Conference 2024 -- RNA vaccines, comprising a mRNA encapsulated in a lipid nanoparticle (LNP), are a new modality for rapid development of synthetic prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines. The LNP acts as a device to deliver the RNA payload into the cell cytoplasm for translation of the transgene; moreover, the precise formulation of cationic/ionisable lipid, phospholipid, PEGylated lipid and cholesterol can affect the LNP cellular interaction. Crucial to the mRNA delivery is cellular uptake and escape from the endosomal compartment. To evaluate the effects of formulation components on cell uptake, a cell-based assay using 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY)-labelled LNPs has been developed. Using a microfluidic production process, BODIPY-cholesterol has been incorporated into a range of lipid nanoparticle formulations as a potential screen for evaluating LNP formulations and cell uptake.

Key considerations for advancing true innovation at hospitals and health systems

In an executive roundtable sponsored by Labcorp, three Labcorp leaders—Deborah Boles, PhD, vice president of research and development; Bryan Vaughn, senior vice president of hospitals and health systems; and Megann Watters, vice president of corporate development, new ventures and strategic alliances—led a discussion on Labcorp's investments in new technology and programs to help health systems reduce costs and optimize care. 

An alternative to subcutaneous adipose tissue collection in the nonhuman primate

ASR 2024 -- Adipose tissue biopsy is a useful technique for obtaining adipose samples for analysis in numerous research applications such as metabolic and cardiovascular disease studies. Due to the abundance of adipose and ease of access, the subcutaneous (SQ) space is the most common location to perform adipose biopsies. However, obtaining adequate samples can be a challenge in animals with minimal SQ adipose tissue, such as the commonly used cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis). Based on observations during macaque laparotomy and laparoscopy procedures, we hypothesized that the falciform ligament and omentum may be a useful and convenient source of adipose tissue in cynomolgus macaques. This led us to develop a minimally invasive alternative approach to adipose tissue acquisition in cynomolgus macaques lacking sufficient SQ fat for standard SQ collection. By applying standard in-house laparoscopic tissue biopsy procedures, we were able to successfully obtain repeat adipose tissue samples from cynomolgus macaques. This technique provides a convenient solution to the lack of SQ adipose tissue in young or underconditioned cynomolgus macaques. Additionally, this represents a refinement to current adipose tissue collection techniques in young or underconditioned cynomolgus macaques in which more and larger incisions, as compared to laparoscopic approach, are often required to obtain adequate sampling. 

Visualizing and injecting the tympanic membrane in guinea pigs using a rigid endoscope or an otoscope

ASR 2024 -- Guinea pigs are a commonly used research model for hearing studies. Hearing studies are aimed to determine the ototoxic potential of otic medications in guinea pigs by examining the effects of tympanic membrane injections on hearing function and cochlear histopathology. The normal function of the cochlea and auditory pathways are assessed for results after sustaining noise exposure damage, ototoxic drug treatment, etc. The biggest challenges of this procedure are visualizing the tympanic membrane, which can be done with a rigid endoscope or an otoscope with a small speculum attachment, and then visualizing the needle within the field of view of the camera or speculum. Both techniques are viable ways to visualize the tympanic membrane, but which is the most efficient when also inserting a needle and syringe to inject into the tympanic membrane?