QPS Assembles An Access Restricted Bioanalysis Lab To Support Drug Companies In The Fight Against Novel Coronavirus

Newark, DE /PRNewswire/ - As drug companies race to find treatments and vaccines to combat the novel coronavirus, QPS, a global contract research organization (CRO) providing discovery, preclinical and clinical drug development services, today announced the readiness of an access restricted bioanalysis lab prepared to analyze COVID-19 clinical trial samples.

"In the fight against coronavirus, drug companies need ready access to laboratories equipped to safely manage and analyze samples from ongoing and new clinical trials focused on COVID-19," said Benjamin Chien, CEO of QPS. "We've assembled an isolated, restricted access laboratory ready and available to support the life sciences community in determining the safety and efficacy of potential vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 as quickly as possible."

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are more than 20 vaccines for COVID-19 in development globally, and several therapeutics are in clinical trials. The WHO guidance classifies COVID-19 as Biohazard Safety Level-2 (BSL-2), which puts it in the same category as other viruses such as the hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) and the human papillomavirus (HPV).

"The scientists in our laboratories have the capability to handle materials contaminated with COVID-19," Chien said. "To support drug companies as they respond to this public health threat, QPS has assembled an isolated, access restricted bioanalysis lab in Newark, DE, where QPS is prepared to conduct sample analysis for COVID-19 trials."

"QPS has decades of experience supporting drug companies as they develop treatments to slow the spread of viral outbreaks," Chien said. "QPS is a leading, global CRO that has the experience as well as the GLP and CLIA facilities to handle virus samples. Our dedicated lab provides an opportunity for drug companies to have samples rapidly processed and results quickly delivered to help determine the safety and effectiveness of potential new vaccines and drug therapies."

On Wednesday, March 4th, 2020, QPS received a permit from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services, for the QPS bioanalysis laboratories in Delaware Technology Park, Newark, DE, USA. This "Permit to Import Infectious Biological Agency, Infectious Substances and Vector" covers the following material: human blood/blood products, other bodily fluids, and tissues that may contain novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus SARS-COV-2).

"Obtaining this permit quickly was a critical step in our business continuity plan and enables QPS to support clients who are urgently working to develop a treatment and/or a vaccine to combat this new coronavirus," Chien said.

In addition to assembling a lab prepared for COVID-19 trial samples, QPS operates GLP/GCP-compliant laboratories in the normal course of business. The company's bioanalysis laboratories, where some of the world's leading pharmaceutical drugs and gene therapies are developed, are equipped with numerous mass spectrometers that have analyzed millions of clinical trial samples.

QPS has taken the proper protective steps to safeguard its employees and sponsors. QPS has:

• Rigorous safety and containment procedures in place for the handling of clinical trial samples
• Standard operating procedures to ensure safe disposal of infectious wastes
• Adequate supplies of personal protective equipment for lab technicians

"This infectious disease has spread quickly around the world, infecting tens of thousands of people and claiming thousands of lives," Chien said. "QPS offers its sympathies to those who have been affected and lost loved ones and extends gratitude to the governments, global health organizations, healthcare providers and life sciences companies working tirelessly to develop a treatment, and to contain and manage this outbreak."

About QPS Holdings, LLC
QPS is a global contract research organization (CRO) providing discovery, preclinical and clinical drug development services since 1995. The company accelerates pharmaceutical breakthroughs across the globe by delivering custom-built research services. An award-winning leader focused on bioanalytics and clinical trials, QPS is known for proven quality standards, technical expertise, a flexible approach to research, client satisfaction, and turnkey laboratories and facilities. For more information, visit www.qps.com or email infopr@qps.com.