Labcorp

Corporate brand

A major international provider of clinical laboratory testing, diagnostic services, and biopharmaceutical development support.

Last updated October 14, 2026

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Overview

Labcorp, formally Labcorp Holdings Inc. and historically known as Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, is a United States-based laboratory and healthcare services company headquartered in Burlington, North Carolina. Its principal activities are organized around two broad capabilities: diagnostic laboratory services for patients, physicians, hospitals, employers, insurers, and public agencies; and laboratory and development services for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical-device, and diagnostic companies. The company traces its modern corporate history to a clinical laboratory business established in the late 1960s and acquired by Revlon in 1971. It adopted the name National Health Laboratories in the 1970s, became publicly traded in 1988, and expanded through acquisitions and geographic growth. A decisive transformation occurred in 1995, when Roche contributed Roche Biomedical Laboratories and cash in exchange for a substantial interest in the combined company. The enlarged organization adopted the name Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and moved its headquarters to Burlington, North Carolina. Roche later sold its remaining interest. Labcorp’s Diagnostics Laboratories business provides routine and specialized clinical testing, pathology, oncology testing, molecular diagnostics, genetic testing, infectious-disease testing, toxicology, employment and wellness testing, pain-management testing, drug monitoring, environmental testing, and relationship or DNA testing. Its network includes patient service centers, in-office phlebotomy operations, regional and specialty laboratories, and home-collection offerings. Labcorp has also developed consumer-facing testing through Labcorp OnDemand, allowing patients to order or complete certain tests outside conventional physician-office workflows where permitted by regulation and clinical requirements. Specialized molecular and genomic work has been an important part of the company’s development. Labcorp has used polymerase chain reaction technology in molecular diagnostics, operates the National Genetics Institute in Los Angeles, and performs complex specialty testing through its Center for Esoteric Testing in Burlington. Its diagnostic portfolio has expanded through businesses focused on oncology, reproductive health, cardiovascular risk, infectious disease, pathology, liquid biopsy, and genetic analysis. The company’s second major platform, Labcorp Drug Development, supports clinical research and laboratory development for sponsors. Services have included central laboratory work, bioanalytical testing, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, nonclinical and toxicology testing, clinical-trial support, genomic analysis, medical-device and diagnostic development, and related research services. The Covance acquisition in 2015 substantially broadened this platform, while the 2023 spin-off of Fortrea separated the clinical-trial services business into an independent company and left Labcorp more focused on laboratory services and selected drug-development activities. Labcorp became especially visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. It received U.S. Food and Drug Administration emergency authorization for a SARS-CoV-2 test in March 2020, introduced an early at-home sample-collection option in April, and processed large volumes of COVID-19 tests during the subsequent public-health emergency. The company continues to combine laboratory infrastructure, digital ordering, genomic and specialty testing, and services for life-science companies. Its primary business remains concentrated in the United States, although its laboratory-development and specialized-testing activities operate across a broad international network. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, branded as Labcorp, is a large United States-based provider of laboratory diagnostics, drug-development services, and health-related data solutions. It serves physicians, hospitals, health systems, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies, employers, insurers, and individual patients. Although the supplied industry classification identifies the company with medtech and devices, Labcorp is more accurately categorized as a diagnostics and clinical-laboratory-services business rather than a medical-device manufacturer. The modern company was formed in 1978 as National Health Laboratories and developed through consolidation in the independent clinical-laboratory market. A major turning point came in 1995, when National Health Laboratories merged with Roche Biomedical Laboratories. The combined organization adopted the name Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and operated under the LabCorp brand. This transaction gave the company greater scale in routine testing, specialty diagnostics, hospital services, and physician-office laboratory support. Labcorp’s business has historically had two principal pillars. The first is Diagnostics, which includes routine blood and urine testing, anatomic pathology, specialty testing, molecular and genetic testing, oncology-related diagnostics, infectious-disease testing, women’s health testing, occupational testing, and laboratory services for hospitals and physician practices. The company also operates patient service centers and supports collection, logistics, reporting, and digital access to test results. Its diagnostic infrastructure is used both for everyday clinical care and for more specialized disease assessment. The second pillar is drug-development services, historically associated with Covance and later described as Labcorp Drug Development. This business has provided contract research services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including clinical trial management, central laboratory services, bioanalytical testing, safety assessment, regulatory support, and other activities across the drug-development lifecycle. In 2022, Labcorp separated its clinical research business into a standalone publicly traded company, Fortrea, while retaining its core diagnostics operations and selected related capabilities. Labcorp expanded through acquisitions, laboratory-network investments, specialty testing, and partnerships with healthcare providers and life-sciences companies. Its portfolio has included large-scale routine testing as well as higher-complexity services such as molecular diagnostics, pharmacogenomics, oncology testing, and companion-diagnostic support. The company has also participated in public-health testing, including large volumes of infectious-disease testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Labcorp brand is positioned around laboratory expertise, broad access, scientific capability, and support for both patient care and medical research. Its commercial role is primarily business-to-business and healthcare-institutional, but its patient service centers and consumer-facing testing channels make the brand visible to the public. Labcorp remains an active, exchange-listed company headquartered in Burlington, North Carolina, with operations and customers extending beyond the United States. Labcorp was particularly prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic. It received U.S. Food and Drug Administration emergency authorization for a SARS-CoV-2 test in March 2020, introduced an early at-home sample-collection option in April, and processed substantial volumes of COVID-19 testing during the subsequent public-health emergency. The company continues to combine laboratory infrastructure, digital ordering, genomic and specialty testing, and life-sciences company services. Its principal operations remain concentrated in the United States, although its laboratory development and specialty testing activities span a broad international network.

History

Labcorp’s roots lie in a clinical laboratory business founded in 1968 and acquired by Revlon in 1971. The business adopted the National Health Laboratories name in 1974 and expanded its network during the 1970s through additional laboratories, service centers, and acquisitions. It became a public company on NASDAQ in 1988 and moved its listing to the New York Stock Exchange in 1991. During the early 1990s, National Health Laboratories grew amid increasing demand for diagnostic testing and pursued consolidation in a fragmented laboratory market. It reorganized as a holding company in 1994. In 1995, Roche contributed Roche Biomedical Laboratories and cash to the organization in exchange for a major stake. The resulting company became Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, relocated its headquarters to Burlington, and emerged as one of the largest U.S. blood-testing organizations. Roche divested its remaining interest in 2002. The 2000s were marked by expansion in regional laboratories, pathology, specialty testing, genomics, and contract research. Labcorp acquired Pathology Medical Laboratories, Path Lab Holdings, ViroMed, Dynacare in Canada, Dianon, US Pathology Labs, Esoterix, Litholink, Tandem Labs, and Monogram Biosciences. These transactions added Canadian operations, oncology and genomic diagnostics, kidney-stone analysis, advanced mass spectrometry, pharmacology support, and HIV resistance testing. In the 2010s, the company continued building a diversified laboratory and life-sciences platform. Acquisitions included Genzyme Genetics, Westcliff Medical Laboratory assets, Clearstone, Orchid Cellmark, Medtox Scientific, MuirLab, LipoScience, Bode Technology Group, Covance, Safe Foods International, Pathology Inc., Sequenom, ClearPath Diagnostics, Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories, Chiltern, and Wellness Corporate Solutions. The $6.1 billion Covance transaction in 2015 significantly expanded Labcorp’s drug-development capabilities, while the later Chiltern acquisition strengthened the clinical research organization within Covance. COVID-19 testing became a major operational focus in 2020. Labcorp received emergency authorization for a SARS-CoV-2 test, developed an at-home collection model, and processed substantial testing volumes. The company subsequently expanded its specialty and genomic capabilities, including the acquisition of Toxikon in 2021 and Personal Genome Diagnostics in 2022. It also entered agreements involving hospital laboratory management and outreach services with Ascension. In 2023, Labcorp completed the spin-off of Fortrea, separating a large clinical-trial services business from the parent. The company later acquired assets of bankrupt Invitae in 2024, extending its access to genomic-testing assets. Labcorp’s current identity is therefore the result of five decades of laboratory consolidation, specialty-testing development, life-sciences acquisitions, digital patient access, and portfolio separation. Its core activities remain clinical diagnostics and laboratory support for drug and diagnostic development, with operations primarily in the United States and additional international reach.

2023
Fortrea spin-off
[1]Labcorp company history referenceen.wikipedia.org
Labcorp completed the separation of Fortrea as an independent company.
2023
Fortrea separation
[5]Corporate rebrand to Labcorplabcorp.com
Labcorp completes the separation of its clinical development business into Fortrea Holdings.
2020
Expansion of COVID-19 testing
[1]Labcorp company history referenceen.wikipedia.org
Labcorp received emergency authorization for a SARS-CoV-2 test and introduced an at-home sample-collection option. Labcorp scales molecular and related laboratory testing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2018
Corporate rebrand to Labcorp
[5]Corporate rebrand to Labcorplabcorp.com
The company introduced Labcorp as its principal corporate brand across its businesses, presenting its diagnostics and life-sciences activities under a shorter, more accessible name.
2015
Acquisition of Covance
[1]Labcorp company history referenceen.wikipedia.org
Labcorp acquired Covance for approximately $6.1 billion, greatly expanding its biopharmaceutical laboratory and development platform. Labcorp completes its acquisition of Covance, substantially expanding its contract research and drug-development capabilities.
2002
Roche exits
[1]Labcorp company history referenceen.wikipedia.org
Roche sold its remaining interest in Labcorp.
1995
Roche Biomedical Laboratories combination
[1]Labcorp company history referenceen.wikipedia.org
Roche contributed Roche Biomedical Laboratories and cash, creating a substantially larger laboratory company that adopted the Laboratory Corporation of America name and moved to Burlington.
1988
Initial public offering
[1]Labcorp company history referenceen.wikipedia.org
National Health Laboratories became publicly traded on NASDAQ.
1978
National Health Laboratories is established
[1]Labcorp company history referenceen.wikipedia.org
The predecessor organization that developed into Labcorp is established as National Health Laboratories.
1974
National Health Laboratories name adopted
[1]Labcorp company history referenceen.wikipedia.org
The business changed its name to National Health Laboratories Incorporated.
1971
Revlon acquires the laboratory business
[1]Labcorp company history referenceen.wikipedia.org
A clinical laboratory business established in 1968 was acquired by Revlon, beginning the corporate lineage that developed into Labcorp.

Products and positioning

A large-scale, technology-oriented diagnostic and laboratory-services platform combining broad patient access with specialized testing and support for biopharmaceutical development. A scaled clinical-laboratory and diagnostics provider combining routine and specialty testing with healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and clinical-research services.

Clinical laboratory services
Labcorp Diagnostics
The company’s core diagnostic platform provides routine and specialty testing for patients, physicians, hospitals, employers, insurers, and public-sector customers. Services span blood and urine testing, pathology, oncology, infectious disease, molecular diagnostics, genetics, toxicology, wellness, employment, environmental, and therapeutic drug monitoring applications.
Consumer diagnostic services
Labcorp OnDemand
A consumer-facing service that supports access to selected laboratory tests, including options involving at-home collection or patient-directed ordering where legally and clinically appropriate. It extends Labcorp’s traditional laboratory network into a more digitally enabled patient-access model.
Biopharmaceutical services
Labcorp Drug Development
This platform supports pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical-device, and diagnostic companies with laboratory and development services. Capabilities have included central laboratory work, bioanalysis, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, nonclinical testing, genomic analysis, and development support.
Molecular diagnostics
National Genetics Institute
The National Genetics Institute develops polymerase-chain-reaction testing methods and performs molecular diagnostic work, including applications related to infectious disease and genomic analysis.
Specialty laboratory testing
Center for Esoteric Testing
Based in Burlington, North Carolina, the center handles a substantial share of Labcorp’s specialized testing. It represents the company’s role beyond routine clinical chemistry and supports complex reference and esoteric diagnostic work.
Clinical laboratory services
Routine clinical diagnostics
High-volume testing used in routine patient care, including blood, urine, chemistry, hematology, and other commonly ordered laboratory examinations. These services are delivered through physician, hospital, employer, and patient channels and are supported by specimen collection, transport, electronic ordering, and result reporting.
Advanced diagnostics
Specialty and molecular diagnostics
Higher-complexity testing in areas such as infectious disease, oncology, genetics, women’s health, and other specialized clinical fields. The offering includes molecular methods and other laboratory technologies intended to improve detection, classification, monitoring, or treatment-related decision-making.
Genomic diagnostics
Genetic and genomic testing
Genetic and genomic services used in inherited-disease assessment, reproductive health, oncology, pharmacogenomics, and related clinical applications. Testing may support diagnosis, risk assessment, treatment selection, or family counseling, subject to the intended use and applicable clinical requirements.
Healthcare laboratory outsourcing
Hospital and health-system laboratory services
Laboratory support for hospitals and health systems, including testing operations, specialty capabilities, logistics, technology, and related infrastructure. These arrangements can supplement or manage portions of an institution’s laboratory function while connecting it to Labcorp’s broader testing network.
Clinical research services
Clinical-trial laboratory services
Laboratory services used in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research, including central-laboratory testing, biomarker work, sample management, and related analytical support. Labcorp retained selected life-sciences laboratory capabilities after separating its broader clinical development business into Fortrea.
Patient services
Patient service centers and digital access
Consumer-facing access to specimen collection and laboratory information through physical patient service centers and digital channels. These services connect clinical orders with appointment, collection, payment, and result-delivery processes.

Controversies

2026
Labcorp data breach settlement controversy
Labcorp reached a $2.3 million settlement connected to a data breach that, according to the report, impacted 451,558 Maryland residents. The event was reported on September 27, 2026. The settlement resolves the matter as described in the source.
Source
2024
Patient-data sharing lawsuit
A class-action complaint alleged that Labcorp’s website practices allowed Google to receive confidential information associated with patient appointments and account activity.
Source
2023
False Claims Act settlement
Labcorp paid $19 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims to Medicare. The matter was reported as a civil resolution.
Source
2018
Samsam ransomware incident
A variant of the Samsam ransomware affected Labcorp servers and disrupted operations. The cited account reported delays but no evidence that patient data was stolen.
Source
2012
Genetic-counselor conflict-of-interest criticism
Labcorp was criticized for paying the salaries of genetic counselors working in hospitals and medical offices, a practice observers viewed as potentially creating conflicts of interest.
Source
1992
Operation Labscam overbilling investigation
National Health Laboratories was investigated in a federal healthcare-fraud crackdown over allegations involving unnecessary tests and Medicare and Medicaid billing practices. The company agreed to a settlement reported at $111 million in 1992, followed by a broader $182 million resolution in 1996.
Source

2020COVID-19 testing and at-home collection
United States
Labcorp expanded SARS-CoV-2 testing during the pandemic and promoted a home sample-collection approach intended to improve access while reducing unnecessary in-person contact. The company became a major COVID-19 test developer and processor during the public-health emergency, serving healthcare organizations, public-health programs, employers, and individuals.
Outcome. The company became a major COVID-19 test developer and processor during the public-health emergency.
Source
2020COVID-19 testing access initiative
United States
Labcorp expanded testing capacity and access channels during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving healthcare organizations, public-health programs, employers, and individuals.
Outcome. The company became one of the most visible commercial laboratory providers involved in pandemic testing in the United States.
Source
2018Labcorp corporate rebrand
United States · International
Labcorp introduced a unified corporate identity intended to present its diagnostics and life-sciences activities under a shorter, more accessible name. The Labcorp name became the company’s principal public-facing brand.
Outcome. The Labcorp name became the company’s principal public-facing brand.
Source

Brand decisions

2023
Separate FortreaStrategy
Background
Labcorp reviewed the structure of its diagnostic and clinical-development businesses.
Action taken
The company completed the corporate spin-off of Fortrea.
Aftermath
Labcorp retained a more focused laboratory and selected drug-development profile, while Fortrea operated independently.
Source
2023
Separate the clinical development businessStrategy
Background
Labcorp determined that its diagnostics business and clinical-development operations could pursue clearer strategies as separate public companies.
Action taken
The clinical development business was separated and began operating as Fortrea, while Labcorp retained its diagnostics-centered operations.
Aftermath
Labcorp’s corporate profile became more focused on clinical laboratory testing, specialty diagnostics, and related healthcare services.
Source
2020
Introduce at-home COVID-19 sample collectionProduct launch
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic created demand for testing methods that reduced visits to healthcare facilities.
Action taken
Labcorp developed an at-home sample-collection option for COVID-19 testing.
Aftermath
The offering became part of the company’s pandemic testing response and consumer-access strategy.
Source
2015
Acquire CovanceM&A
Background
Labcorp sought to broaden its laboratory and life-sciences capabilities beyond routine diagnostics. Labcorp pursued a broader healthcare and life-sciences platform that could combine diagnostic testing with outsourced pharmaceutical research.
Action taken
The company acquired Covance for approximately $6.1 billion. Labcorp acquired Covance and integrated its contract research, central-laboratory, and drug-development capabilities.
Aftermath
Covance became a central component of Labcorp’s biopharmaceutical development platform. The company became a major provider across both clinical diagnostics and pharmaceutical research services.
Acquisition value. Approximately $6.1 billion (2015)
Source
1995
Merge with Roche Biomedical LaboratoriesM&A
Background
National Health Laboratories sought greater scale and a broader laboratory-services platform in a consolidating clinical-testing market.
Action taken
The company merged with Roche Biomedical Laboratories and operated thereafter as Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings.
Aftermath
The transaction established the modern Labcorp organization and expanded its geographic and testing capabilities.
Source

Recent events

2023
Labcorp completes Fortrea spin-off[1]Labcorp company history referenceen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The company completed the corporate separation of Fortrea, restructuring its clinical research and laboratory-services portfolio.
2023
Labcorp completes separation of clinical development business as Fortrea[5]Corporate rebrand to Labcorplabcorp.com
M&A
Labcorp completed the planned separation of its clinical development business, which began trading as Fortrea, leaving Labcorp focused primarily on diagnostics and related laboratory services.
2020
Labcorp receives FDA emergency authorization for a COVID-19 test[1]Labcorp company history referenceen.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Regulation
The company obtained emergency authorization for a SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test during the early COVID-19 response.
2020
Labcorp launches an at-home COVID-19 sample-collection test[1]Labcorp company history referenceen.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Other
Labcorp introduced a home sample-collection model for COVID-19 testing during the pandemic.
2020
Labcorp expands COVID-19 testing and public-health laboratory capacity[4]Labcorp COVID-19 informationlabcorp.com
Product launch · Other
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Labcorp expanded molecular testing, specimen logistics, and reporting capabilities to support public-health agencies, healthcare providers, employers, and patients.
2018
Labcorp announces the launch of its new corporate brand[5]Corporate rebrand to Labcorplabcorp.com
Campaign
The company adopted Labcorp as its principal corporate brand, replacing the more formal Laboratory Corporation of America presentation in much of its external communications.

Sources12 sources

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