Our History
Through the years our strategic investments have expanded our life science portfolio, allowing us to advance healthcare for hundreds of diseases.
Hoffmann-La Roche begins operations in the United States. Hoffmann-La Roche, founded in Switzerland in 1896, was one of the first companies to recognize that the industrial manufacture of medicines would be a major advance in the fight against disease.
Hoffmann-La Roche officially enters the lab business by acquiring the Kings County Research Laboratory. About the same time, Thomas Edward Powell III, and his twin brothers, Dr. James B. Powell and John Powell, form Biomedical Laboratories (later known as Biomedical Reference Laboratories) in a hospital basement in Burlington, N.C.
Revlon, Inc. enters the lab business and, after a number of acquisitions, adopts the name National Health Laboratories Incorporated (NHL).
After a number of acquisitions, Hoffmann-La Roche acquires Biomedical Reference Laboratories.
Hoffmann-La Roche merges all of its laboratory companies into one company, now called Roche Biomedical Laboratories (RBL).
NHL further broadens its laboratory testing capabilities by acquiring the sixth-largest clinical lab in the U.S., Allied Clinical Health. By the mid 1990s, NHL and RBL are two of the largest clinical, drug-screening and paternity laboratories in the U.S.
NHL and RBL merge to become one of the largest clinical lab providers in the world. Led by Dr. James Powell, the new company, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, is headquartered in Burlington, N.C.
Labcorp acquires Los Angeles-based National Genetics Institute, allowing Labcorp to gain NGI’s ultra-sensitive hepatitis C testing capability.
ViroMed, one of the leading laboratories in molecular microbial testing using real-time PCR platforms, becomes a part of Labcorp.
With the acquisition of Dynacare, Labcorp expands its geographic presence in the western and midwestern United States, as well as creating Labcorp’s first significant international presence in Canada.
Labcorp continues to build the most robust anatomic pathology capabilities in the world by acquiring DIANON Systems, now Dianon Pathology. Dianon is distinguished for its capabilities in specific organ systems and clinical disciplines of uropathology, dermatopathology, and gastrointestinal pathology.
Both Esoterix, Inc. and US LABS become part of the Labcorp family.
Esoterix, Inc. and its leading specialty labs—Colorado Coagulation, Endocrine Sciences, and Cytometry Associates—further increase the scope of Labcorp’s esoteric testing expertise. US LABS’ extensive menu of esoteric oncology testing and expertise across multiple methodologies balance Labcorp’s anatomic pathology capabilities. The businesses now operate under the Labcorp Specialty Testing Group designation as Colorado Coagulation, Endocrine Sciences, and Integrated Oncology.
Labcorp acquires Litholink, a leading provider of testing that provides targeted treatment information, helping physicians better manage and prevent chronic diseases, including kidney stones and chronic kidney disease.
Labcorp expands its clinical trials, personalized medicine, and companion diagnostic capabilities by purchasing Tandem Laboratories. A leading bioanalytical and immunoanalytical contract research organization (CRO), Tandem supports pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with their discovery, preclinical, and clinical drug development programs. Tandem becomes part of Labcorp Clinical Trials.
Labcorp purchases Monogram Biosciences, a recognized leader in the discovery and commercialization of products to guide and improve the treatment of HIV, cancer, and other serious diseases.
Labcorp completes its $1 billion acquisition of Genzyme Genetics, a business unit of Genzyme Corporation. Genzyme Genetics (which now operates as Integrated Oncology and Integrated Genetics under the Labcorp Specialty Testing Group banner) provides complex reproductive and oncology testing services. With this addition, Labcorp substantially expands its genetics and oncology services capabilities.
Labcorp acquires Orchid Cellmark, Inc. (Orchid), harmonizing two experienced and highly qualified forensics and family relationship laboratories. This acquisition further expands Labcorp’s international presence, as Orchid maintains DNA testing facilities both in the United States and in the United Kingdom. This acquisition adds to the existing capabilities of Labcorp's forensics identity business.
2012 is a big year for the Labcorp brand. First, Labcorp completes the acquisition of MEDTOX Scientific, Inc. (now MedTox), adding this premier organization to Labcorp’s group of specialized testing companies and strengthening its services in specialized toxicology and medical drug monitoring testing services.
Labcorp also announces that the reproductive portion of Genzyme Genetics business will now be called Integrated Genetics. At the same time, the US LABS and Genzyme Genetics oncology brands unite under a new name, Integrated Oncology.
In addition, Labcorp announces the new global brand name, Cellmark Forensics, for its worldwide business serving the law enforcement and legal communities. The new name represents a combination of Labcorp's forensics identity business and Orchid Cellmark.
Labcorp acquires LipoScience, Inc., a provider of specialized cardiovascular diagnostic lab tests based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology. LipoScience enhances Labcorp’s existing cardiovascular and metabolic disorder test menu and cardiovascular disease program.
The company also completes the acquisition of Bode Technology Group, Inc. Bode Technology’s capabilities strengthen Labcorp’s range of forensics and DNA identification testing services, furthering the company's strategy to continue to lead in scientific innovation. Labcorp later combines Cellmark Forensics and Bode Technology, creating the Bode Cellmark Forensics, representing the company’s commitment to serve customers in the forensic, law enforcement, and legal communities globally.
In February 2015, Labcorp completes its $6 billion purchase of Covance, Inc., creating the world’s leading health care diagnostics company. The combination of Covance’s drug development leadership and Labcorp’s medical testing expertise builds the market leader in central laboratory and bioanalysis services. Labcorp’s clinical trials companies, Labcorp Clinical Trials and Tandem Laboratories, align under the Covance brand.
In addition, the acquisition of Safe Foods International Holdings and its subsidiaries—The National Food Laboratory and the International Food Network—adds to the existing range of industry-leading services to the global food, beverage, and nutrition industries offered by Covance Food Solutions.
Labcorp successfully completes the acquisition of Sequenom, a leader in non invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), women’s health and reproductive testing, and other services. This addition allows Labcorp to offer the most complete range of testing options in women’s health, including NIPT and reproductive genetics, and expands Labcorp’s geographic reach, both domestically and internationally.
Chiltern becomes part of the company’s Covance Drug Development business. The acquisition creates a market-leading contract research organization by enhancing Covance’s offerings to include a dedicated focus on the high-growth emerging and mid-market biopharma segments, as well as comprehensive capabilities in medical device development and functional service provider solutions.
Labcorp acquires Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories (PAML), one of the nation’s premier medical reference laboratories and a healthcare solutions company, as well as assets of the Mount Sinai Health System’s Clinical Outreach Laboratories, which allows Labcorp to provide comprehensive laboratory services to physicians and patients in metropolitan New York City.
On March 1, 2019, Labcorp acquires MNG Laboratories, an internationally recognized clinical diagnostic leader that specializes in next generation sequencing (NGS) and complex biochemical testing for neurology. The addition of MNG to the Labcorp network of laboratories enhances and expands Labcorp’s capabilities in neurology and neurogenetics.
In October 2019, Labcorp celebrated its 50th anniversary and the company's transformation from a local laboratory operating in a former hospital to a leading global life sciences company that is deeply integrated in guiding patient care.
Labcorp was at the forefront of the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company was the first commercial laboratory to market with an FDA EUA COVID-19 PCR test, which a short time later became the first available at-home kit, enabling people to collect samples safely at home with access to the same world-class lab trusted by physicians and hospitals.
The company announced the opening of an automated clinical trial kit production line in Mechelen, Belgium, which doubles the automated production capacity of the company’s industry-leading central laboratory services.
Labcorp acquired Ovia Health, a digital health platform used by millions of women seeking information and support with family planning, pregnancy and parenting, extending Labcorp’s position as a leading, go-to source for women’s health insights, opens new avenues for personalized care experiences and fosters better dialogue between health care providers and their patients.
Labcorp closed its acquisition of Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc. (PGDx), a leader in cancer genomics with a portfolio of comprehensive liquid biopsy and tissue-based products, complementing Labcorp’s existing liquid biopsy capabilities and expanding Labcorp’s leading oncology portfolio of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based genomic profiling capabilities.
Labcorp entered into a comprehensive strategic relationship with Ascension, one of the nation’s leading Catholic and non-profit health systems, to manage its hospital-based laboratories in 10 states and purchase select assets of the health system’s outreach laboratory business.
Labcorp completed the spin-off of Fortrea, the newly formed independent Contract Research Organization providing Phase I-IV clinical trial management, patient access and technology solutions to pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations around the world.
Labcorp completed its acquisition of select assets of Invitae, a leading medical genetics company. The acquisition extends Labcorp’s leadership in genetic testing solutions for oncology and select rare diseases.
