Centralized Lab Management

Routine and safety testing in a central laboratory typically covers haematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, coagulation, immunology, serology, and routine virology, harmonized across all sites in a study. The purpose is to generate a single, consistent dataset that supports patient safety monitoring, eligibility screening, and regulatory submission, regardless of where samples are collected. At Cerba Research, routine and safety testing is delivered through an accredited global laboratory network with critical value flagging, real-time data visibility, and consistent data interpretation across regions.

Global sample management combines kit production, custom labelling, temperature-controlled shipping, real-time tracking, sample chain-of-custody, and biorepository storage, all coordinated through a single project team. Cerba Research operates across the globe with 24/7 tracking supported by harmonized SOPs that ensure samples are collected, processed, and shipped consistently from every site. Specialist handling is built in for sensitive sample types including PBMC, BMMC, frozen tissue, and cell and gene therapy material.

In a traditional central laboratory model, all samples from every trial site are shipped to a single network of accredited labs for harmonized testing, ensuring data consistency and reducing inter-site variability. A decentralized model brings testing closer to the patient, using local labs, home health, or point-of-care devices to reduce patient burden and accelerate enrollment. Most modern global trials use a hybrid approach: central labs handle the bulk of safety, biomarker, and specialty testing while decentralized elements support specific endpoints or patient populations. Cerba Research supports both models through its global network and can adapt logistics, kit design, and data flows to suit the trial design.