Thermo Fisher Scientific selected as NCS biological and environmental sample repository partner

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, today announced it has been selected as the National Children’s Study (NCS) biological and environmental sample repository partner. The study examines the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21. The contract was awarded to the company’s Fisher BioServices business by the National Institutes of Health in conjunction with a consortium that includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency.

“This is a monumental study that stands to transform our knowledge of human development, provide insight into diseases and push medical research forward,” said Marc N. Casper, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. “We’re honored to play such an important role in this work. The project demands the careful handling and storing of countless samples over many years, and Fisher BioServices’ track record as the leader in biorepository services made this an ideal alliance.”

The company will establish a biorepository to handle the organization, storing and disbursement of patient specimens and environmental samples for the duration of the study. Expert personnel will monitor specimen integrity over time and the Fisher BioServices IN-TRAK^® inventory management system will interface with the NCS information management system to give researchers on-line access to stored samples.

Fisher BioServices is a professional contract services business with more than 23 years of experience in biological repository services and cold chain logistics, managing high value biological specimens, cell-based therapeutics, vaccines and tissues. The business manages more than 170,000,000 samples globally, serving more than 30 governments and 300 commercial customers.