For Companies
Biosample Hub provides biotech and pharma companies with clinical sample access. Most importantly, we connect companies with hospital biobanks that do the initial collection and processing. So we connect companies direct to the source of the samples.
- Access to over 70 hospital biobanks worldwide.
- Over 75% of these biobanks offer Prospective Collection.
Advantages Of Biosample Hub
(1) You know where your biospecimens come from
Direct contact with the source biobank is an essential part of Biosample Hub. The resulting close communication brings many benefits. Most important, it allows for complete provenance data on human biospecimens. It also provides access to scientific and clinical expertise. Also, it brings access to services like tissue sectioning and staining. Furthermore, companies and biobanks must be in direct contact to follow EU regulations on IVD medical devices.
(2) You have access to many biobanks and 100% of them want to work with industry
Biosample Hub has a global network of around 70 Academic Biobanks. Significantly, 100% of these biobanks want to provide human biospecimens for industry research. There are two reasons for this high level of interest. Firstly, providing samples to industry is the platform’s sole purpose. Secondly, Biosample Hub membership is voluntary.
(3) You can easily set up a Prospective Collection.
Over 75% of the biobanks on our platform will provide prospective collections (illustrated below). With a prospective collection, samples can be collected according to your specific requirements. Prospective collection is always necessary, if you require fresh and viable tissue samples.
(4) Our platform is simple and easy to use
This platform has many innovative features to facilitate connection with suitable biobanks. Furthermore, there is continuing development of the platform to improve its performance. For details, see the Platform Page.
(5) You can have up to ten active biospecimen requests at any one time
We post all your biospecimen requests on the platform. In addition, we send them to suitable biobanks both on and off the platform.
(6) We provide financial transparency
A not-for-profit company runs the platform and it has no shareholders. So, we reinvest any financial surpluses into the company. Any transactions between the company and the biobank take place independently of the platform. Furthermore, Biosample Hub does not charge any commission.
(7) We do not set any contractual restrictions
There is no contract with Biosample Hub. So there is no hassle and no contractual restrictions.
(8) You get free attendance at all Biosample Hub conferences and events
Biosample Hub organises frequent online conferences and other events. Some are public, others are members-only. Members attend all these events free of charge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What disease types does Biosample Hub cover?
Biosample Hub includes biobanks that cover the full range of human diseases.
What kind of clinical samples can I access?
The biospecimens most often requested are solid tissue and blood. Solid tissue may be normal or diseased, including tumour samples. It may be frozen or formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE). Requesters need fresh solid tissue for cell culture. Also, whole blood is a common request, or fractions like the buffy coat, serum or plasma. Furthermore, many other sample types are available, like CSF, sputum, urine, faeces, etc. In summary, a vast range of human biospecimens is available to meet your research needs.
Will biobanks process human biospecimens for my research?
The biobanks on our platform offer a wide variety of services. These may include extracting DNA, RNA or protein. They may also provide tissue sectioning, immunohistochemistry, quality control, cell culture, customized assays, and many other services.
What is a prospective collection?
A prospective collection involves the ongoing and future accrual of human biospecimens for research. This approach is necessary if the requester requires a specific collection protocol. It is also essential for the collection of fresh samples. Most biobanks on our platform will offer a prospective collection.
What clinical information do biobanks provide?
The amount of clinical information provided varies from one biobank to another.
One thing that is universal for all biobanks on this platform is that you will know the identity of the biobank. So if you need to access further clinical information on your samples, you can go direct to the source.
How much do human biospecimens for research cost?
All biobanks will charge a fee for biospecimens and prices vary between biobanks. The fees depend on many factors, including the cost of staffing in different countries. As the requester, you pay this fee direct to the biobank. Moreover, Biosample Hub does not charge any transaction fee.
What happens if I can’t find the human biospecimens I need for my research?
If you can’t find the biospecimens you need in our directories, then you need to submit a request on the platform. Request submission is very straightforward. On receipt, we send your request to suitable biobank members. We also display it in the Request Directory. If you do not find biospecimens this way, then you need to inform us. We will then search our more extensive network outside the platform. Then we recommend biobanks for you to contact.
What do I need to do to join Biosample Hub?
To join, you need to complete the application form, then pay the annual subscription.
Do I need to sign a contract?
No, there is no contract to sign with Biosample Hub. All you need to do is observe the terms and conditions on the website.
To access clinical samples, you sign a material transfer agreement with the biobank.
How much information about my company do I need to display on the platform?
Displaying brief information about your company is helpful to biobanks. Moreover, biobanks that read about your company, may contact you to discuss collaboration. Even so, it is not essential to share any information about your company on the platform. If you prefer, you can remain incognito. In this case, our administration will handle requests on your behalf.
Do you provide consultancy services?
Consultancy services are provided through a separate company: Biosample Management Ltd
Request A Demo
Want to find out more? We provide demos of the Biosample Hub platform on a one-to-one basis and involve Zoom calls with screen-sharing. If you want to know more, then click the button to request a demo …
Join Biosample Hub
There is an annual subscription fee of £2,500 for biotech and pharma companies which covers a full 12 months from whenever a payment is made.
Subscription is not permitted for companies with more than 1,500 employees. This limit has been set to avoid an excess of sample requests from any one company.
Joining Biosample Hub is very simple. There is no contract and all you need to do is submit the application form.
Sample Request Feasibility
If you want to find out whether Biosample Hub can help you source the biospecimens you need, then submit full details of your sample requirements here. We will then evaluate your request with the help of the 70+ biobanks on our network and come back to you with detailed feedback.
Testimonials From Company Members
“We have supported the Biosample Hub project since its start since we think that a worldwide platform of reliable and ethically sourced clinical samples is urgently needed”. Stefano Palea, Humana Biosciences S.A.S., France.
“Biosample Hub assists beneficial collaborations between industry and academia through its intuitive platform which connects groups in a fair and transparent manner”. Liam Burke-Masterson, Genuity Science, Ireland.
“I was attracted to this proposal because of its transparency with the biobanks which is often lost with other platforms”. Anonymous, Biotech Company, UK.
“Biosample Hub provides an essential missing link between biotech researchers and medical sites/non-commercial biobanks – as a biotech scientist, I appreciate how it gives me access to a much wider range of potential biosamples vs. the usual mix of commercial providers”. Anonymous researcher, South SF, CA.
“We valued the speed and transparency of the platform and plan on harnessing the network for future sample acquisition efforts”. James Sietstra, Totient, USA.
“BioSample Hub plays a critical role in connecting with biobank worldwide. I particularly appreciate the nice design and the intuitiveness of the platform”. Ninon Guichard, Galapagos, France.
