United States-based LabCorp's Covance Drug Development business has set up a global immunology and immunotoxicology unit to concentrate on the development of biologic drugs, it was reported yesterday.

This team brings together the company's operational expertise in flow cytometry, immunoassays and cell-based assays with its scientific expertise in immunotoxicology study design, direction and operation to offer a more comprehensive offering for large-molecule drugs.

The new unit's comprehensive offering also includes a seamless bridge to bioanalysis for use in regulatory submissions and to Covance Phase I clinical research units for first-in-human and first-in-patient studies. As studies progress, the immunology and immunotoxicology team can complete its unique set of solutions by drawing on additional expertise from Covance's clinical development and commercialisation, translational biomarker, immuno-oncology and central laboratory teams and LabCorp's specialist scientific and technical capabilities.