CRO Covance and NeoGenomics, a provider of oncology-focused genetics testing services, are collaborating to provide anatomic pathology and specialty laboratory testing services for global clinical trials.

Covance's clients will gain access to fully integrated anatomic pathology and histology (APH) services, including immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and molecular testing. Covance will establish a laboratory at NeoGenomics' Fort Myers, Fla., facility and, together with NeoGenomics, will provide a full range of APH, tissue-based biomarkers and other specialty testing services. The companies will then expand joint capabilities globally at Covance's central lab locations in Shanghai, China; Geneva, Switzerland; and Singapore.

Covance will have access to NeoGenomics'  medical and scientific networks, which include more than 500 pathologists. NeoGenomics gains access to Covance's market reach,  client relationships and trial experience. The alliance will provide seamless global testing services supporting oncology and companion diagnostics strategies for biopharmaceutical firms around the world.

"The collaboration with NeoGenomics will offer our clients fully integrated anatomic pathology services from sample preparation, staining and imaging, to pathology interpretation by leading pathologists, in an end-to-end manner," said Paul Kirchgraber, M.D., vice president of laboratory operations and medical affairs, Covance Central Laboratory Services. "Providing these integrated services through the Covance laboratory co-located within NeoGenomics results in improved turnaround times critical to oncology clinical trials."