LGC Standards extends portfolio with Cardiff Bioanalytical Services acquisition
LGC has acquired Cardiff Bioanalytical Services Ltd (CBSL), a leading provider of External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes for clinical and forensic toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring. The company runs a number of schemes, under the Heathcontrol brand, with over 450 participants in over 36 countries. The business will be integrated into LGC Standards, the division of LGC that provides products and services to improve measurement and quality control within the laboratory.
Cardiff Bioanalytical Services Ltd was established in 1979 on the campus of the University Hospital of Wales at Heath Park when it offered EQA schemes for theophylline, digoxin and tricyclic antidepressants. New schemes were introduced over the subsequent years for antibiotics, paracetamol and salicylate measurements.
In 1994 a separate toxicology scheme was established. Over the years continuous development has seen many other drugs added and, most recently, a scheme for measurement of drugs of abuse in oral fluid. The company moved to its current premises in Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff in 1998.
The acquisition will further strengthen LGC Standards’ position as one of the world’s leading providers of proficiency testing (PT). The current 29 LGC Standards PT schemes encompass chemical, microbiological and physical testing across a wide range of industries including food and beverage, environmental, pharmaceutical and consumer safety. The Heathcontrol schemes further expand this offering into new areas, broadening the PT offering available from one supplier.
During 2011, the CBSL business will be relocated from Cardiff to LGC Standards’ brand new, state of the art, purpose built premises in Bury which are due for completion in January.
Dr John Wilson, one of CBSL’s directors, commented “We are delighted that LGC has given its commitment to the continued support for our participants and to the educational role of the schemes. LGC’s history of growth and development provides an excellent platform for the future of the CBSL business”.
Liz Jordain, General Manager, LGC Standards said “The Heathcontrol business provides LGC Standards with an excellent opportunity to expand our PT offering and customer base. LGC Standards’ presence in all major European markets, China, Russia and South America means that we shall be able to grow the Heathcontrol business in many territories.”
Proficiency testing and external quality assessment schemes are an invaluable quality tool, enabling laboratories to monitor and improve the quality of their analytical measurements by providing an external quality system which is designed to complement their own internal quality control processes.