BioIVT, a leading provider of biospecimens and related services, has announced that the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) has granted a satellite license to its West Sussex facility.

“Our goal is to always provide our customers with the highest quality biospecimens and the best possible customer service. Now that our West Sussex site is covered by our UK HTA license, its biomaterial storage is also certified to meet HTA standards, and we can use that facility for more convenient onward shipping for our customers,” said Kelly Sapsford, BioIVT general manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa operations.

Clients purchasing human biospecimens, including tissues, biofluids and primary cell products, from BioIVT’s HTA-licensed sites are assured that donors receive accurate information and are fully  informed prior to giving their consent; donor samples are collected and handled according to required storage, use, and disposal protocols; and collection sites undergo regular audits to verify their adherence to approved standard operating procedures.

“After BioIVT’s acquisition of Asterand Bioscience in August 2017, I worked closely with the extended team to secure HTA certification for our West Sussex site to enable them to store human biomaterials prior to distribution to our research clients,” said Amanda J. Woodrooffe, PhD, BioIVT vice president and general manager, Royston operations and HTA corporate license holder. “Our Royston UK facility has been HTA licensed since August 2007.”

The HTA was created by the UK Parliament in 2005 as a non-departmental public body of the Department of Health. HTA ensures that human tissue is used safely and ethically, and with proper consent. It regulates organizations that remove, store and use tissue for research and medical treatment. It also approves organ and bone marrow donations from living people.