Coming Soon to the Siemens Healthineers Aptio Automation System: iSpecimen Integrated Solution

• Scientists require human biofluid, tissue and cell specimens that meet precise requirements to advance biomedical research.
• Locating the specific patient samples that researchers need can be challenging.
• iSpecimen works with laboratories to compliantly aggregate for researchers remnant human samples that would otherwise be discarded.
• Siemens Healthineers will automate sample retrieval requested through iSpecimen’s biospecimen marketplace.^*

Siemens Healthineers and iSpecimen today announced they will aid laboratories in generating new sources of revenue by integrating the Siemens Healthineers laboratory automation systems with iSpecimen’s biospecimen marketplace. Participating labs can use the CentraLink Data Management System and Aptio® Automation to automate the retrieval process for samples requested by researchers via the iSpecimen Marketplace.

“Soon-to-be discarded patient samples create an opportunity for laboratories to generate recurring revenue, while iSpecimen’s network of laboratories helps researchers gain access to precisely the specimens and data they need for their biomedical research,” said Andy Olen, Senior Vice President of Laboratory Diagnostics, North America, Siemens Healthineers. “By creating a function to automate specimen retrieval in conjunction with iSpecimen, we’re helping to optimize the samples being funneled into the marketplace for research use, and automate the storage and distribution logistics for laboratories wishing to leverage this revenue stream. We are excited to offer laboratories a solution that creates new value for both the lab and researchers alike.”

The iSpecimen technology interfaces with electronic health records and lab information systems to extract relevant, de-identified data on available samples in order to make them searchable by researchers. Along with a driver in development for Aptio Automation, rules will be created in the CentraLink Data Management System to assist in identifying which samples in laboratories’ inventories are available for research. Once they are selected, samples that would otherwise be disposed of after clinical testing will instead be saved and stored in refrigerated storage modules. When ordered by a researcher, they will be placed in the input/output module to be packaged and shipped to the appropriate destination.

“Increasing the availability of highly specific biospecimens helps fulfill the promise of precision medicine,” said Christopher Ianelli, MD, PhD, Founder and CEO of iSpecimen. “The integration of the iSpecimen Marketplace with the Siemens Healthineers data management and automation solutions makes it simple for labs to generate new revenue while also helping them to fulfill their research missions.  We’re thrilled to be working with Siemens Healthineers to bring this unprecedented level of automation to the specimen procurement process.”

Together with iSpecimen, Siemens Healthineers is enabling healthcare providers to achieve better outcomes at lower costs with expanded access to precision medicine and customized results. For more information, visit: http://www.ispecimen.com/