Background
Colibri Scientific, a UK based company, provides flexible clinical sample services to clinical investigators, biotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations running early phase clinical studies. Colibri Scientific understands the importance of quality samples in research, therefore, efficiently manages each and every aspect of sample operations during the entire sample life cycle. They provide a wide range of services such as sample tracking, clinical kit production, sample logistics, site training, project management, laboratory vendor management, in addition to sample storage via their specialist partner. Colibri Scientific serves as a conduit between the trial sponsor, clinic and testing laboratory not only for the duration of the study but until the samples are permanently disposed.
Colibri Scientific: Sample Flow at Multi-Sites
Colibri Scientific sets a protocol for clinical study and prepares a Clinical Sample Report (CSR) Form. They then generate and print sample labels and barcodes, manufacture the required clinical kits and ship them to a clinic. The clinic collects samples from patients in pre-labeled sample vials or containers and stores them per the protocol until they are shipped. Colibri Scientific prepares electronic manifests, detailing samples to be shipped and notifies the clinic and the receiving laboratory of the shipment and receipt dates. On the scheduled date, the specialist courier delivers IATA compliant packaging and dry ice, the clinic staff packs the samples according to Colibri Scientific Laboratory Manual, and the courier transports the samples to the testing or the storage laboratory. Following testing, Colibri Scientific obtains consent from the study sponsor to destroy the samples. They also ensure that the documentation for sample destruction, by the testing laboratory, is completed and filed in the study file. Throughout the sample life-cycle, the location and status of samples are tracked.
Multifaceted Business Challenges
Colibri Scientific wanted a cost-effective clinical Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) that can meet the following requirements:
1) Manage a large number of clinical studies on a day-to-day basis.
2) Track samples across multiple sites such as a clinic or a testing laboratory, the ability to mark samples as “received” when it is received by the clinic or the testing laboratory.
3) Generation of sample barcode labels with several important details of samples.
4) Maintaining a complete Chain of Custody (CoC) of samples, right from the time samples are collected from patients to their final disposal, ensuring complete sample traceability at all times.
5) Batch editing of multiple sample information such as current quantity, maximum freeze-thaw cycle count, etc.
6) Managing storage location of all samples.
7) Associating samples with their donors/patients and related studies.
8) Meet regulatory compliance such as FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and audit trail.
Quick Overview
Establishment
Colibri Scientific is a UK based company that provides a wide range of clinical services to clinical investigators, biotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations running early phase clinical studies. It offers services such as sample tracking, clinical kit production, sample logistics, site training, project management, laboratory vendor management, in addition to sample storage via their specialist partner.
Headquarters
Macclesfield, United Kingdom
Business Challenges
To track a large number of clinical samples across multiple sites and storage location was a very daunting task. A laboratory management tool was required for sample annotation, for maintenance of a complete chain of custody and for meeting regulatory compliance such as FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11, and Good Clinical Practice.
Solution
CloudLIMS
Benefits
Colibri is now able to track samples, whether they were in the clinic, in shipment, in the laboratory, or in storage. Additionally, they are able to generate barcodes and print sample labels using the same LIMS tool. They are able to track all laboratory activities, maintain the audit trail to meet audit requirements, and generate custom reports. CloudLIMS enabled Colibri Scientific to meet their business objectives by offering a cost efficient tool.

Why Colibri Scientific Chose CloudLIMS
Sue Keeler, Managing Director at Colibri Scientific Ltd., started looking for an automated system that can track samples, maintain Chain of Custody (CoC) of samples, streamline sample operations at multiple sites, and can meet the regulatory requirements. Sue discovered CloudLIMS through an Internet search and requested a free trial. The CloudLIMS team upon contacting her, gathered the granular details of their sample operations, to understand their operational requirements. The team demonstrated CloudLIMS to them and explained how the LIMS can meet their requirements. Soon after the product demonstration, they decided to evaluate the product. The CloudLIMS team sent them a trial version configured per their requirements to facilitate the evaluation.
The barcode templates were also configured for their desired samples types, which include archival tissue, blood, paired biopsy, plasma, etc. The CloudLIMS team organized a couple of online sessions to help them with barcode generation and sample label printing. They were happy with the product functionality, excellent customer support, and subsequently decided to manage their sample operations and clinical studies with CloudLIMS.
According to Sue, “We were looking for a package which would be suitable for tracking samples between different locations, generate barcodes, print labels and set up clinical studies. CloudLIMS enabled this and negated the requirement for large hardware costs – as a new business, this was very attractive. Also, being able to update numbers of licenses easily on a monthly basis is an advantage to an expanding business and enables us to tailor our contract with CloudLIMS to meet the requirements of our new clients. The support at CloudLIMS is excellent and I am very satisfied with their services.”
Testimonial
We were looking for a package which would be suitable for tracking samples between different locations, generate barcodes, print labels and set up clinical studies. CloudLIMS enabled this and negated the requirement for large hardware costs – as a new business, this was very attractive. Also being able to update numbers of licences easily on a monthly basis is an advantage to an expanding business and enables us to tailor our contract with CloudLIMS to meet the requirements of our new clients. The support at CloudLIMS is excellent and I am very satisfied with their services.
– Colibri Scientific

Illustration 2: Tony Parry, Senior Project Manager, working with CloudLIMS
How Colibri Scientific Leverages CloudLIMS
In order to sustain in the competitive clinical landscape, every organization needs to enhance its efficiency and minimize its expenses. A cloud-based LIMS is hosted on a secure cloud server and negates the requirements of IT infrastructure and IT personnel for LIMS deployment. CloudLIMS, a cloud-based LIMS, offered as Software as a Service (SaaS), leverages the benefits of Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model to offer a cost-effective solution. Colibri Scientific decided to choose CloudLIMS because it not only helps them in efficaciously tracking a large number of samples in real-time across multi-sites but is also a cost-effective and scalable solution.
Currently, the product helps them in managing various studies, tracking and managing samples when they are in the clinic, in shipment, in the laboratory, or in storage, generating 2D-barcodes and sample labels, configuring electronic signatures for the desired laboratory activities, maintaining an automated audit trail to meet the clinical auditing requirements, and generating customized reports.