Trans-Hit Bio (THB) has announced the signing of an exclusive partnership with Professor Hugo A. Barrera-Saldaña, Founder and General Director of Vitagenesis, the first Mexican biomarker-based diagnostic laboratory. Professor Barrera, through a lifetime of leadership in biomedical translational research, has, in recent years, been concentrating in the promotion of biobanking in top medical research institutions in Mexico. Through this exclusive agreement, THB, a leading biospecimen procurement CRO for Industry, aims to provide the Mexican Academic Community of Biobanks, in particular, those specialized in Infectious Diseases and Oncology, with the operational framework support needed to promote their deserved international visibility.
Professor Barrera’s efforts in developing Biobank capabilities in Mexico started with the creation of an Institutional Biobank Laboratory which has supported several local research protocols with over 6,000 sampled biospecimens stored. Professor Barrera transformed this success in a Nationwide initiative and was key in the establishment of National Biobank Laboratory (LANBIOBAN). Professor Barrera has also been crucial in helping other Mexican clinical sites in becoming ready to support international biomarker research. Successful outcomes of this partnership have already been seen in current collaborations with Mexican institutions such as ONCARE, LABOPAT and National Nutrition Institute (INCMNSZ).
“Prof. Barrera and his collaborators are not only leaders and very knowledgeable in biobanking but have also championed in biomedical translational research. This partnership strengthens THB’s presence internationally and is a valuable addition to our existing worldwide network of partnered academic biobanks. It constitutes for us an important first step in our expansion in Latin America, whose great biobanking capabilities to date have been underestimated and underutilized by Industry even though pathology labs, clinical sites and CRO laboratory platforms provide an excellent scientific expertise, high quality standards and compliance with regulatory and ethical requirements” said Dr. Pascal Puchois, Chief Executive Officer at THB.