High-Quality Human Biospecimen Provider for Research and Clinical Studies

When human biospecimens are critical to your research, turn to ABS Bio

At ABS Bio, we understand the importance of your research — and the patients who depend on its outcomes. Our consultative approach helps guide precise biospecimen selection and supports custom procurement projects aligned with your scientific goals. Rather than sorting through endless options, you can rely on our experienced team to deliver the high-quality specimens your research requires.

Human biospecimens are biological materials collected from donors for research purposes. They include tissues, blood, blood-derived products, and other biofluids that help researchers study disease biology, discover biomarkers, validate therapeutic targets, and develop new diagnostics and treatments. Types of biospecimen samples include:

30+ years of human biospecimen leadership

Human biospecimens are foundational to biomedical research and clinical advancement, enabling deeper insight into disease biology, more accurate diagnostics, and the development of next-generation therapies.

Since 1990, ABS Bio has specialized in the collection, processing, and preservation of high-quality human biospecimens supporting drug discovery, translational research, and diagnostic innovation.

ABS Bio and our network have built our collection, processing, and storage protocols around ISBER and National Cancer Institute Best Practices.

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Why Researchers Choose ABS Bio as Their Human Biospecimen Provider

Unmatched human biospecimen infrastructure

ABS Bio maintains one of the largest and most robust biospecimen networks in the U.S. and worldwide, providing access to both normal and diseased human tissues. Our 100+ clinical partnerships span more than 400 hospitals and physician practices, enabling reliable, scalable access to high-quality specimens. ABS and our partners follow ISBER and National Cancer Institute Best Practices, with all samples collected and managed under strict legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks for academic and commercial research. Human biospecimen sample formats include:

Quality documentation and scientific support services

Anonymized clinical data accompany all specimens, with pathology reports and medical histories frequently available for surgical samples. For custom projects, integrated gene and protein expression data may also be available.

When required specimens are not readily available through our repository or collection network, ABS Bio can design and execute prospective collection programs tailored to your study objectives and data requirements.

How ABS Bio Sources Your Biospecimens

  • Start with your science
    We clarify your research goals, specimen criteria, timeline, and budget so sourcing decisions reflect what your study needs.

  • Find the right sourcing path
    We assess available inventory and qualified collection sites to identify suitable specimens, with appropriate consent and ethical oversight.

  • Align collection and processing
    We evaluate existing collection and processing protocols or tailor them to your requirements, including specimen format, handling, and preservation.

  • Verify quality against your criteria
    We align quality control and documentation with your study’s needs, checking the characteristics that matter for your downstream work.

  • Deliver with confidence
    We coordinate storage, shipping, and delivery around agreed timelines to get suitable specimens to your team, ready for their intended use.

Key Human Biospecimen Terminology

Biospecimen

A biological sample collected from a human or animal for research or diagnostic purposes. Biospecimens may include tissues, blood, cells, plasma, serum, urine, or other biofluids used in drug discovery, translational research, and precision medicine.

PBMC (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells)

A group of immune cells isolated from blood, including lymphocytes and monocytes, commonly used in immunology, oncology, cell therapy, and biomarker research.

FFPE (Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded)

A widely used tissue preservation method in which tissue is fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax to preserve cellular structure for histology, pathology, and molecular analysis.

Fresh Frozen Tissue

Tissue that is rapidly frozen shortly after collection to preserve RNA, DNA, protein integrity, and molecular activity for downstream research applications.

Matched Normal Tissue

Healthy tissue collected from the same donor as diseased tissue, enabling direct comparison between normal and disease-state biology.

Cold Ischemia Time

The period between tissue removal and preservation or stabilization. Minimizing cold ischemia time is critical for maintaining biospecimen quality and molecular integrity.

Clinical Annotation

Associated donor or patient information linked to a biospecimen, such as diagnosis, demographics, treatment history, pathology findings, or clinical outcomes.

Cryopreservation

The process of preserving cells or tissues at ultra-low temperatures to maintain viability, functionality, and molecular integrity for future research use.

OCT (Optimal Cutting Temperature) Compound

OCT is an embedding medium used to prepare fresh frozen tissue specimens for cryosectioning. It helps preserve tissue morphology and supports downstream applications such as histology, immunofluorescence, and molecular analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions About Human Biospecimens

Human biospecimens are biological materials collected from donors for research purposes. They include tissues, blood, blood-derived products, and other biofluids that help researchers study disease biology, discover biomarkers, validate therapeutic targets, and develop new diagnostics and treatments.

ABS Bio provides a comprehensive range of human biospecimens, including fresh, frozen, and FFPE tissue, whole blood, plasma, serum, PBMCs, bone marrow, and specialty biofluids. Biospecimens are available from healthy donors and donors with a wide range of disease indications, with both retrospective inventory and prospective collection programs available to meet specific research requirements.

Retrospective biospecimens have already been collected and are available for research use, often with associated de-identified clinical information. Prospective collections are designed around a study’s specific inclusion criteria, collection protocols, processing requirements, and timelines. ABS Bio supports both approaches and works with clients to determine the best strategy for their research objectives.

Yes. ABS Bio regularly develops custom procurement programs tailored to each study. Collection and processing protocols can be designed around specific specimen types, preservation methods, processing timelines, clinical inclusion criteria, pathology requirements, and other project-specific needs.

Depending on the specimen type and collection program, biospecimens may include de-identified demographic, clinical, pathological, and treatment information. ABS Bio works with each client to identify the clinical annotation appropriate for their research while protecting patient privacy.

ABS Bio follows standardized collection, processing, storage, and shipping procedures designed to preserve specimen integrity. Quality measures may include pathology review, chain-of-custody documentation, temperature-controlled handling, and specimen-specific quality control procedures appropriate for the project.

Yes. ABS Bio is committed to the ethical procurement and distribution of human biospecimens. Collections are performed in accordance with applicable informed consent requirements and regulatory standards, including HIPAA and IRB requirements where applicable.

Yes. ABS Bio has extensive experience supporting complex procurement projects, including rare diseases, highly specific patient populations, matched normal and diseased specimens, and custom prospective collection programs. With an established, global network of clinical partners, we have trusted, proven sources for meeting client-specific needs.

Yes. In addition to biospecimen procurement, ABS Bio offers integrated laboratory services that can prepare samples for downstream research. Services include histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), multiplex staining, digital pathology and image analysis, cell culture, flow cytometry, cryopulverization, nucleic acid extraction, and other custom laboratory workflows.

Project timelines vary depending on specimen type, disease prevalence, collection criteria, and study complexity. Some projects can be fulfilled as soon as next-day from existing inventory, while prospective collection programs are developed around each client’s specific enrollment and study requirements. Our scientific team will work with you to establish realistic timelines for your project. We also commit to communicate proactively to keep you informed of collection and shipping progress so your lab is never surprised.

Researchers choose ABS Bio because we combine high-quality human biospecimen procurement with scientific expertise and integrated laboratory services. From study design consultation and custom collection programs to specimen processing and downstream laboratory support, our team helps simplify complex research workflows by serving as a single, trusted partner throughout the drug development process.

Simply contact ABS Bio with your research objectives, specimen requirements, desired clinical criteria, and project timeline. Our scientific team will work directly with you to develop a customized procurement strategy and statement of work tailored to your study.