Quest Diagnostics Unveils New Clinical Laboratory in Marlborough, Massachusetts

Quest Diagnostics has unveiled its new, clinical test laboratory in Marlborough, Massachusetts with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by top health care leaders and state officials. Dubbed the "lab of the future" for its innovative use of technology and building design, the facility will provide a broad range of advanced clinical testing services to people in New England.

When fully operational, the facility is expected to employ 1,350 health care professionals - 100 more than originally projected by the company in 2013 when it announced plans to establish a major laboratory in Marlborough to serve New England.

"Quest's new laboratory in Marlborough is an example of the burgeoning technology sector here in Massachusetts and further proof that the Commonwealth is an innovation leader," said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-3). "Our unique ecosystem brings together high quality academic, business and government resources with a highly skilled workforce. I applaud Quest Diagnostics for working to grow its presence here in Massachusetts, opening new job opportunities and putting this region further on the cutting edge of innovation."

"The establishment of Quest Diagnostics' new state-of-the-art laboratory in Marlborough is yet another instance of a national company recognizing the value of Massachusetts' unique R&D and science expertise," says State Representative Danielle Gregoire, 4th Middlesex District. "We are thrilled to see Quest Diagnostics' commitment to and investment in our state and look forward to being a part of their future advancements in diagnostic testing."

"Our 'lab of the future' will set a new standard in diagnostic information services - not just for our company, but for our industry," said Steve Rusckowski, President and Chief Executive Officer, Quest Diagnostics. "It reflects a unique model for delivering innovative health services of the highest possible quality and value in order to create a healthier world."

"We are especially proud to base this facility in Marlborough, part of Boston's biotech region, and to strengthening our commitment to the local community whose support was so vital to making this facility possible."

"Quest Diagnostics is precisely the type of cutting edge company we want in our city," said Mayor Arthur Vigeant. "Their arrival to Marlborough means our residents will have greater opportunities to compete for good paying jobs close to home while providing a new customer base for our local business community."

The facility will house operations and employees from approximately half a dozen of the company's clinical laboratories spread across Massachusetts and Connecticut. It will also provide the base for Quest's first diagnostic research and development (R&D) center in New England and only its third in the United States. The R&D center will focus on advanced technologies, including next generation sequencing, as well as neurology, reproductive genetics and other specialized medical fields.

Additional capabilities will include bioinformatics and population-health analytics to mine the company's national testing data to uncover insights that will help clinicians and health systems identify gaps in care.

The company also intends to implement one of the most advanced automation solutions ever created for a clinical laboratory through an agreement, announced earlier, with Siemens for an automation system made by Inpeco.

"Quest Diagnostics performs more clinical laboratory testing than any other organization. Before we built this new lab, we asked ourselves - what have we learned from this vast experience and how do we use that knowledge to raise the bar on clinical testing," said James E. Davis, senior vice president, operations, Quest Diagnostics. "The result is a facility that in many ways will be superior to anything we've ever built before. For patients and physicians in New England, this will translate into higher quality and much faster test results reporting for literally thousands of clinical lab tests, all performed in their backyard."

Medical Expertise from UMass Memorial Medical Group and the University of Massachusetts
The new facility will also extend a relationship Quest Diagnostics and UMass Memorial Health Care formed when Quest acquired UMass Memorial's clinical and anatomic pathology outreach business in Worcester in 2013. About a dozen physicians and medical faculty employed by UMass Memorial Medical Group and the University of Massachusetts Medical School will provide scientific leadership for several facets of laboratory testing for the Marlborough lab. They will also counsel the region's physicians in the selection and interpretation of clinical laboratory tests, collaborate on R&D, and assist with residency programs onsite for the University's medical students.

"We are excited to bring together these bright minds from Quest Diagnostics, UMass Memorial Medical Group and the University of Massachusetts Medical School under our one roof," said Denis Gallagher, vice president, operations, Quest Diagnostics. "Creativity and innovation emerge when talented individuals collaborate, and we believe this facility will inspire people to create and share ideas to improve health care."

The facility is expected to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2015.