Covance expands FSP capabilities focused on delivering ‘clean data’
LabCorp’s Covance Drug Development business has launched a laboratory solution within its functional service provider (FSP) offering, which was expanded following the acquisition of Chiltern in 2017.
The offering provides recently-increased capabilities such as clinical operations, clinical data management, biostatistics, statistical programming, medical writing, and pharmacovigilance services, said Bill Hanlon, PhD, group president, Covance Clinical Development and Commercialization Services.
Now, service has been renamed FSPx and includes clinical analytics services as well as clinical operations capabilities.
“Laboratory FSPx helps clients improve data readiness by integrating FSP resources and laboratory data teams from study start up to completion. A unique data management team structure with specialized expertise helps ensure that timelines are met while providing data according to client specifications, regardless of data source or CRO,” Hanlon told us.
While Covance has been providing FSP services for more than 30 years, the company continues to see requests for the offering, noted Paul Kirchgraber, MD, senior vice president, Clinical Trials Testing Solutions, Covance.
Kirchgraber told us, “As the demand in this space continues to increase and the complexities of clinical trials continue to evolve, we will continue to refine and adapt our specialized teams and processes in order to be able to provide our clients this specialized service.”
The newly-expanded offering is focused on delivering “clean data based on client requirements for highly complex laboratory data, in response to the increased complexity of modern clinical trials,” he added.
Specifically, trials today generate more data and include biomarkers, which often requires the involvement of more laboratories, Kirchgraber said, adding, “The data management needs that accompany this increased complexity, during and at the conclusion of a trials, has been a growing challenge for some time.”
The scalable offering addresses the ‘periodic highs and lows of demand’ during the clinical trial process and enables sponsors to predict costs and delivery milestones more accurately, Hanlon explained.
“As outsourcing models are maturing, our sponsors continue to desire increased control and scalability while looking for ways to decrease their cost base in research and development,” he added. “FSP offerings are one of the key services we provide that can be utilized to deliver on these goals.”
