A global leader in the provision of central laboratory services for the clinical trials industry, Clinical Reference Laboratory (CRL), has today announced the full integration of its Argentina-based partner Laboratorio Hidalgo to its worldwide network of laboratories providing a much desired South American presence.

The agreement follows a long-standing laboratory partnership between the two companies and provides enhanced clinical trial support for CRL clients performing trials across North and South America. In addition, it puts CRL in the unique position of having immediate oversight and analysis of all clinical trial samples collected in South America through one system.

The integration of Laboratorio Hidalgo’s testing platforms into CRL’s proprietary LIMSystem will provide an expanded and full global project capability while building on Hidalgo’s renowned experience and reputation leading trials in South America.

Tim Sotos, chief executive officer of CRL, said: “Our expanding worldwide network provides us with a solid foundation for delivering a truly global clinical trials support service to our international clients.”

CRL’s worldwide laboratory network provides clients with the global oversight that is necessary to supervise their trials. Clinical trial data from samples drawn anywhere in the world will be accessible in real time, enabling drug safety evaluation and global tracking of samples at any point in the process.

Dr. Elisa Hidalgo, owner and clinical trials director at Laboratorio Hidalgo, said: “Our philosophy at Laboratorio Hidalgo is to offer integrated solutions tailored to our customers’ needs and this formalised partnership with CRL reinforces this message and shows a major commitment to our ongoing relationship.”

CRL is one of the largest privately-held laboratories in the USA offering central laboratory services for the support of clinical trials to the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. It also has a wholly-owned CAP-accredited European operation in Cambridge, UK and has a proven track record in providing complete central laboratory solutions to support more than 4,000 clinical trials across the globe.

This agreement with Laboratorio Hidalgo in South America comes only a month after CRL announced its first worldwide laboratory integration with Phoenix Pharma Central Services in Singapore.

Tim Sotos added: “I’m delighted to have two partners, in Singapore and Argentina, already integrated into our worldwide network of laboratories. Integration of well-established local laboratories in major trial continents covering the Americas, Asia, and Europe will provide CRL with a competitive edge, while our services continue across the rest of the world through our other long standing partners in South Africa, Australia and Japan. We are hoping to integrate a number of other worldwide partners in the future.”

For further information about CRL and its worldwide network of laboratories, visit the website at www.crlcorp.com.