lab

Our History

Our legacy as a global life sciences leader

From advancing testing in genetics to helping guide and progress treatments for COVID-19 and HIV, today’s Labcorp reflects the innovations of thousands of people over our 50-year history. We are proof that a small, noble idea—a local lab starting out in a small community hospital—can do great, big things that affect millions.   

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Recent Highlights

Labcorp’s leadership in science, technology and innovation enabled the company to be at the forefront of the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Labcorp was the first commercial laboratory to market with an FDA EUA COVID-19 PCR test, which a short time later became available through an at-home kit, enabling people to collect samples safely at home with access to the same world-class lab trusted by physicians and hospitals. By mid-2022, Labcorp had performed over 70 million PCR tests, believed to be the most of any commercial lab in the world.

  • Labcorp partnered with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify COVID-19 variants through our genomic sequencing work, improving the world’s understanding of population health and risks.

  • Labcorp Drug Development supported major COVID-19 clinical trials that led to life-saving vaccines and treatments. 

While helping to lead the pandemic response, Labcorp also accelerated its global capabilities, innovations in cancer testing, digital health offerings and partnerships with hospital systems to lower the cost of high-quality patient care:

  • OmniSeq INSIGHT is our unprecedented pan-cancer, tissue-based sequencing test for patients with late-stage solid tumors (2021 acquisition).

  • Ovia Health is a leading digital health platform in women’s health with a focus on family planning, pregnancy, parenting support and menopause (2021 acquisition).

  • Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx) is another recent, game-changing acquisition in our fight against cancer using liquid biopsy and tissue-based products to advance our capabilities (2022 acquisition).

    • Kit-based solutions for oncologists
    • Detailed, actionable tumor profiling in hospitals or in our labs
    • Global expansion of tumor profiling data

  • Ascension, one of the nation’s largest health systems, is one of the many health systems we work with to broaden access to the patients it serves and to manage their clinical laboratory services across 10 states (transaction completed 2022).

  • Expanded global facilities in cities like Leeds (U.K.), Shanghai (China), Mechelen (Belgium) and Singapore, continue to improve outcomes by enabling new, diverse drug development opportunities (2021 and 2022).

A History of Advancing Healthcare

Through the years our strategic investments have expanded our life science portfolio,
allowing us to advance healthcare for hundreds of diseases. 

  • 1905

    Hoffmann-La Roche comes to the U.S.

    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. 

    1969

    Biomedical Laboratories founded

    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.

    1974

    National Health Laboratories (NHL) is formed

    Revlon, Inc. enters the lab business and, after a number of acquisitions, adopts the name National Health Laboratories Incorporated (NHL).

    1982

    Acquisition of Biomedical Reference Laboratories

    After a number of acquisitions, Hoffmann-La Roche acquires Biomedical Reference Laboratories.

    1983

    Merger forms Roche Biomedical Laboratories (RBL)

    Hoffmann-La Roche merges all of its laboratory companies into one company, now called Roche Biomedical Laboratories (RBL).

    1994

    National Health Laboratories grows

    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.

    1995

    Labcorp is created

    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. 

  • 2000

    National Genetics Institute

    Labcorp acquires Los Angeles-based National Genetics Institute, allowing Labcorp to gain NGI’s ultra-sensitive hepatitis C testing capability.

    2001

    ViroMed acquisition

    ViroMed, one of the leading laboratories in molecular microbial testing using real-time PCR platforms, becomes a part of Labcorp.

    2002

    Labcorp acquires Dynacare

    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.

    2003

    DIANON Systems becomes part of Labcorp

    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. 

    2005

    Labcorp acquires Esoterix, Inc. and US LABS

    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.

    2006

    Litholink becomes part of Labcorp

    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. 

    2008

    Tandem Laboratories purchased by Labcorp

    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.

    2009

    Monogram Biosciences is purchased by Labcorp

    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.

  • 2010

    Labcorp finalizes acquisition of Genzyme Genetics

    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.

    2011

    Orchid Cellmark, Inc. becomes part of Labcorp

    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

    Labcorp acquires MEDTOX, forms three new subsidiaries

    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. 

    2014

    Labcorp acquires LipoScience and Bode Technology Group, Inc

    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.

    2015

    Acquisition of Covance headlines a banner year

    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. 

    2016

    Labcorp acquires Sequenom

    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.

    2017

    Labcorp acquires Chiltern, PAML and Mount Sinai’s Clinical Outreach Laboratories

    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. 

    2019

    Labcorp acquires MNG Laboratories and celebrates 50th anniversary

    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. 

  • 2021

    Labcorp acquires OmniSeq and Ovia Health

    OmniSeq includes an unprecedented pan-cancer, tissue-based sequencing test for patients with late-stage solid tumors. Ovia Health is leading digital health platform for women's health, focused on family planning, pregnancy and parenting support.

    2022

    Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx) joins Labcorp

    PGDx is a game changing acquisition in our fight against cancer that uses liquid biopsy and tissue-based products to advance our capabilities. PGDx includes kit-based solutions for oncologists; detailed, actionable tumor profiling in hospitals or in our labs; and a global expansion of our tumor profiling data.