LAVAL, Quebec--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Trans-Hit Bio (THB) is pleased to announce today 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 said about this agreement: “After I started the National Biobank Laboratory in Mexico and introduced good biobanking practices in the associated institutions, two main challenges still remain to be solved: becoming sustainable and gaining recognition from international pharma and diagnostic companies as reliable and expert sources of high quality biospecimens to support their biomarker R&D programs. This is why not only are we very honoured that THB has signed this partnership agreement, but we are also convinced that THB’s expertise and reputation will definitely help put the Mexican biobank community on the map.
“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.
About Professor Hugo Alberto Barrera Saldana:
Prof. Barrera started Mexico’s National Biobank Laboratory (LANBIOBAN), a National Council of Science and Technology-sponsored project, in Monterrey in 2015. LANBIOBAN is now operating in the most prestigious Medical Schools at top Universities and Mexico’s National Institutes of Health. Prof. Barrera, an ISBER member, is Professor of Precision Medicine at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education and was for many years Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, in Monterrey, as well as Professor of Biotechnological Genomics at the National Polytechnic Institute. He is co-founder and CSO of Innbiogem SC (a consulting firm promoting biobank networking), Founder and General Director of Vitagenesis SA, and Scientific Advisor to Innovita SA (a company providing business strategy and logistics). To learn more about Prof. Barrera and his passionate commitment to advancing biomedical science and championing its translation in Mexico, please, click here.
About Vitagenesis
Vitagenesis is a pioneer, in Latin America, in personalized medicine. Vitagenesis’ mission is to advance research and development that translates into diagnostic and therapeutic innovations. Vitagenesis is a research center that develops and offers services in cell biology and genomics. Vitagenesis was created by the Business Incubation and Technology Transfer Center of the Autónoma University of Nuevo León, seeking to capitalize on the expertise of its founding team in Molecular Biology and Genomics. The company has exceptional human capital, cutting-edge experimental infrastructure and strategic alliances in the Life Sciences sector. For more information on Vitagenesis, please, visit https://www.vitagenesis.mx/.
About Trans-Hit Bio
Trans-Hit Biomarkers Inc is the worldwide biospecimen access CRO with a most extensive collection capability for biospecimens and clinical samples through an unrivalled worldwide partnered-network of state-of-the-art biorepositories. The company, led by a team of scientists with a solid background in biomedical research, advises and provides Industry with the best solutions to help design and conduct studies in various fields including oncology, infectiology, and CNS diseases. Continuous support is provided throughout the entire process from initial request to the moment the samples are delivered, and beyond. To learn more about THB, please, visit www.trans-hit.com.
