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Significant Transition for the Biospecimen Management Consortium

On June 17, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia, the Biospecimen Management Consortium (BMC) announced its transition from a Slope-affiliated initiative to an independent non-profit organization. This monumental shift marks a crucial step towards optimizing the management of biospecimens, a vital component in clinical research.

The BMC aims to advance the standards of biospecimen management, advocating for best practices and innovation across the healthcare landscape. With this new structure, the consortium is better positioned to serve its mission, which revolves around driving sample excellence in clinical trials.

In conjunction with this transition, BMC unveiled its inaugural Board of Directors, consisting of prominent figures from diverse backgrounds within the biomedical and clinical sectors. The board includes:
- Karina Bienfait, Executive Director of Consent and Biospecimen Imaging Management at Bristol Myers Squibb
- Kira Pavlik, Associate Director of Clinical Trial Operations at Yale Cancer Center
- Cornelia Nippgen, VP of Global Clinical Operations at Replimune
- Michael Tanen, Senior Director and Head of Laboratory Operations at MSD
- Eli Stoddard, Senior Director of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at Eli Lilly and Company
- Michael Cooper, Assistant General Counsel at Day One Biopharmaceuticals
- Jim Munz, Chief Product Technology Officer at Slope

In addition to the board, the newly formed Steering Committee brings together representatives from leading organizations including BioNTech, BMS, Halda, Inhibrx, Profound Research, Roche, and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. This diverse group is set to guide the strategic direction of the consortium, ensuring that various perspectives shape its initiatives.

Amy Ripston, the Founder and President of BMC, expressed her thoughts on the transition: "We have reached a defining moment for the BMC. Transitioning to a non-profit unlocks our full potential to unite clinical trial stakeholders and advance biospecimen management. We commend Slope for their initial investment and commitment to our mission. This move allows us to pursue lasting change across the ecosystem."

The significance of transitioning to a non-profit organization cannot be understated, as emphasized by Karina Bienfait. She noted, "This milestone elevates biospecimens' role as foundational data in clinical research. Our updated structure will spearhead collaboration and set robust standards for biospecimen quality management."

Additionally, Kira Pavlik, who stepped into the role of Vice Chair, underscored the importance of amplifying the site voice within biospecimen innovation, which is crucial to the success of clinical trials. "Ensuring sponsors engage with us effectively is vital to driving sample excellence and achieving favorable outcomes in clinical research," she remarked.

Slope's CEO, Rust Felix, shared his excitement about the transition, saying, "Slope founded the BMC to create a strong network of leaders in pharmaceutical and clinical research, dedicated to pioneering change in biospecimen management. We always envisioned transitioning to a non-profit to empower BMC to operate independently. We look forward to supporting the consortium in cultivating collaborations aimed at best practices in biospecimen management going forward."

With a clear focus on future initiatives, the BMC is set to broaden its influence within the industry. The organization is committed to fostering collaboration among clinical trial stakeholders, setting new standards for excellence, and driving substantial advancements in biospecimen management practices. Continuous updates and further information will be made available on the BMC's official website biospecimen-consortium.org.

About the Biospecimen Management Consortium (BMC)

The BMC is a non-profit organization centered on advocating for and advancing the significance of biospecimen management in clinical research. Founded in June 2024, the BMC aims to enhance awareness of biospecimen management's importance, develop reputable standards and best practices, and encourage transformative changes within the clinical trial ecosystem through efficiency and innovation. For additional details, please visit biospecimen-consortium.org.

About Slope

Slope is a leader in providing biospecimen lifecycle management software for clinical trials. Their mission is to leverage technology to enhance the entire biospecimen lifecycle, enabling sponsors to make data-driven decisions with high-quality, real-time sample information. For more insights, please visit slopeclinical.com.