Extensive global reach
- 1,160+ laboratories across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East
- Partnerships with over 200 private and public health institutions worldwide
- Harmonized collection and processing procedures across labs
Connecting Your Research to Samples That Drive Discovery
Access a global network of high-quality, clinically annotated biospecimens – collected, processed, and delivered with the rigor your research demands.
Reliable biospecimen access is foundational to meaningful research
Without the right samples – correctly collected, processed, and annotated – even the most sophisticated assays cannot deliver the insights that move science forward.
Sourcing high-quality human biospecimens is a persistent challenge in translational and clinical research. Variability in collection procedures, inconsistent annotation, and complex import and export requirements all introduce risk at a stage when the integrity of your data matters most.
We address these challenges through a fully integrated biospecimen provision model, providing access to retrospective and prospective collections spanning over 2,500 parameters across 15+ therapeutic areas and a wide range of sample matrices.
From initial feasibility through final shipment, our teams coordinate every step to deliver samples you can trust. With the right biospecimens and clinical context in place, you can focus on generating insights that bring new diagnostics and therapies closer to the patients who need them.
Why choose us for your biospecimens?
Broad therapeutic and matrix coverage
- Samples available across 15+ therapeutic areas
- Matrices including blood and blood derivatives, biofluids, and tissues
- Both disease-state and healthy control samples available
Quality you can rely on
- Clinical annotation provided by over 1,000 clinical pathologists
- Alignment with international regulatory frameworks and accreditation standards
Flexible collection models
- Retrospective collections: ready-to-ship banked and remnant samples
- Prospective collections: protocol-defined samples
- Custom collection designs to meet study-specific requirements
End-to-end logistics expertise
- Dedicated team managing shipment, documentation, and customs compliance
- Transportation in accordance with ADR and IATA regulations
- Sample preservation and cold-chain management tailored to your matrix
Biospecimen services tailored to your study
We offer a complete biospecimen provision service spanning retrospective and prospective collections, with flexible sourcing options and the clinical infrastructure to support studies of any scale.
Sample matrices and therapeutic areas
We provide biospecimens across a wide range of matrices and therapeutic areas, supported by clinical annotation aligned to your study needs.
Matrices:
- Blood and blood derivatives: whole blood, serum, plasma, PBMCs
- Biofluids: urine, CSF, saliva, synovial fluid
- Swabs: nasal, buccal, respiratory
- Tissues: fresh-frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE)
Therapeutic areas include:
Retrospective collection
Ready-to-ship banked and laboratory remnant samples provide rapid access to well-characterized biospecimens for time-sensitive studies. Each collection is supported by comprehensive clinical annotation reviewed by our qualified pathologists, ensuring data quality and relevance for downstream analysis.
Our retrospective collections include:
- Laboratory remnant samples with linked demographic and clinical data
- Healthy control samples to support case-control study designs
- Samples available in a wide range of matrices: serum, plasma, whole blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), urine, tissue, and more
- Flexible volume and aliquot options to match your assay requirements
Prospective collection
When your study requires protocol-driven sampling, we design and deliver prospective collection programs through our established laboratory network. From the outset, our clinical and scientific teams collaborate with you to define eligibility criteria, collection workflows, processing requirements, and annotation standards, ensuring alignment with your study design and endpoints.
Our prospective collection service includes:
- Study design support and feasibility assessment using our patient access data
- Protocol-aligned collection and processing using our facilities and technologies
- Patient identification and eligibility screening supported by our clinical pathology network
- Longitudinal collection capability for time-point studies
- Centralized coordination across multiple collection sites to ensure consistency
Sample processing and pre-analytics
Sample quality is determined long before analysis begins. Pre-analytical variability, from collection tube selection and processing time to storage temperature and freeze-thaw cycles, can significantly affect downstream results. Our pre-analytical expertise ensures that samples are handled to preserve their integrity from the point of collection through to delivery.
Our processing capabilities include:
- PBMC isolation and cryopreservation from whole blood
- Serum and plasma separation to defined specifications
- DNA and RNA extraction from a wide range of matrices
- Tissue sectioning and processing for molecular and histological analyses
- Aliquoting, labeling, and storage to agreed specifications
- Pre-analytical quality review conducted prior to sample release
Logistics and regulatory support
International biospecimen shipment requires careful coordination of cold-chain logistics, documentation, and regulatory compliance. Our dedicated logistics team manages all aspects of export and import, working with established courier partners to ensure samples are transported safely and in compliance with Accord Dangereux Routier (ADR) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.
Our logistics and regulatory support includes:
- Global shipment coordination to over 60 countries
- Cold-chain management tailored to sample matrix and stability requirements
- Preparation of export and import documentation, including regulatory declarations
- Compliance with ADR and IATA regulations for biological substances
- Sample tracking and communication throughout transit
- Authorization to store, prepare, and export biological samples for scientific use under applicable French public health law.
Biobanking and storage
Clinical studies often require samples to be retained for future testing, regulatory requirements, or long-term research programs. Our global biobanking and storage infrastructure helps preserve sample integrity through validated storage conditions, robust tracking processes, and dedicated sample management teams.
Our biobanking and storage capabilities include:
- Temperature-controlled storage from ambient conditions to -80°C, with liquid nitrogen storage available
- Short- and long-term sample storage
- Electronic barcode-based sample tracking
- Quality control of all incoming and outgoing shipments
- Qualified staff dedicated to sample management
- Dedicated receiving, storage, retrieval, and shipment areas
- Shipment preparation and distribution performed in accordance with IATA standards
Scale that supports every level of research
2,500+
analyses available
320,000+
analyses performed daily
45 million+
patients per year
60+
countries
1,160
laboratories
1,000+
clinical pathologists
Technologies and platforms supporting biospecimen services
Our integrated platforms for processing, storage, and molecular analysis are designed to minimize variability, preserve integrity, and support reliable downstream results.
Key technologies used across our biospecimen services include:
- Sample processing and preparation (Automated liquid handling, DNA/RNA extraction, and centrifugation technologies)
- Biobanking and storage (Temperature-controlled storage, liquid nitrogen preservation, barcode tracking)
- PCR and molecular analysis (Thermo Fisher® TaqMan™, Roche® MP96, Bio-Rad CFX96™, Roche® Cobas® LC480 II)
- Next‑generation sequencing (NGS) (Illumina®)
- Long‑read sequencing (Oxford Nanopore Technologies™, PacBio®)
Related specialized services
Pre-analytical and PBMC
Reliable results start with reliable samples. We support consistent PBMC isolation, cryopreservation, and pre-analytical processing to protect sample integrity before your assays begin.
Biomarkers
From biomarker strategy through assay development and clinical trial testing, we provide integrated biomarker support across genomics, immunoassay, flow cytometry, and tissue analysis.
Genomics
We offer a comprehensive genomics service spanning next-generation sequencing (NGS), whole exome and whole genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) for sensitive biomarker detection.
Anatomic pathology and tissue analysis
Put your tissue samples to work with expert IHC, multiplex staining, digital imaging, and spatial omics capabilities, supported by a dedicated team of pathologists and scientists.
Flow cytometry
Get tailor-made flow cytometry assay development dedicated to your clinical trial objectives, including custom panel design and validation across a harmonized global laboratory network.
Assay development and technology transfer
Work with our team of dedicated scientists for assay development that meets your research, clinical, or commercial objectives, from initial feasibility through to validated, trial-ready methods.
Logistics
Trust Cerba Research’s global logistics network to manage the collection, tracking, and compliant international shipping of your biospecimens, with tailored kit preparation and 24/7 sample monitoring.
Biospecimens insights
Logistics Solutions for Sample and Kit Management
Explore our end-to-end approach to clinical trial sample logistics: tailored kit preparation, real-time tracking, and compliant international shipping across 3,000+ locations.
Cerba Xpert: IVD and Medical Device Development Partner
Access end-to-end IVD development support: sample collection, clinical testing, regulatory expertise, and a biobank of 40,000+ samples.
