News
04-November 2010
– LGC
Standards extends portfolio with Cardiff Bioanalytical Services
acquisition
LGC Standards expands its proficiency
testing portfolio with the acquisition of a specialist External
Quality Assessment provider
LGC Limited 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 (www.heathcontrol.com/), 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.
- Ends -
Notes to
editors