The International Genomics Consortium (IGC), which is leading the Human Cancer Biospecimen Core Resource (BCR) component of the Cancer Genome Atlas (CGA) pilot project, is using Labvantage's Sapphire biobanking solution.
IGC, based in Phoenix, AZ, USA, was selected by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) to lead the project, and Sapphire will serve as a key informatics backbone supporting and maintaining the BCR. In order to enhance its biospecimen collection management solution, IGC considered modifying its current software solution. However, it quickly realised internal development would be too much effort and would require an extended project timeline. As a result, IGC searched for a commercial software package robust and flexible enough to handle the current informatics requirements of the BCR, while also maintaining the capability to manage the growing number of samples handled at IGC. After evaluating a top-tier list of potential vendors, Sapphire was selected based upon product maturity, functionality, architecture, scalability and flexibility. Additionally, LabVantage's extensive experience delivering solutions for biospecimen repository management was a key decision factor for the IGC.
'In order for the IGC to successfully implement the BCR we needed a biospecimen management solution that was functionally rich and capable of being implemented rapidly,' stated Troy Shelton, IGC project administrator for TCGA. 'Among the software solutions we evaluated, Sapphire offered true out-of–the-box functionality and was by far the most well-established and premier solution used by peers in the industry.'
Sapphire ensures that standard procedures are used for all steps in the biorepository management process. Key processes supported include: informed consent, clinical datacollection, sample collection, pathology review, biomolecule extractions, quality control, laboratory data collection, and biomolecule distribution.
