Oxford Health gains licence for research sample storage

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 16:31 · Archive

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has been granted a Human Tissue Authority licence for its Oxford BioStorage Service.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT) has been granted a Human Tissue Authority (HTA) research licence for its Oxford BioStorage Service (BOSS). The service provides secure storage and inventory management for human biological samples and operates at the NIHR Clinical Research Facility based at Warneford Hospital. The licence was formally awarded on 5 November 2026.

The licensing assessment took place in October and included both a virtual assessment and an on-site visit to the facility. The licence follows a substantial programme of work to meet HTA standards, including the development of governance frameworks, quality systems, and staff training. By November 2026, BOSS had processed more than 23,000 samples.

Claudia Hurducas, deputy head of research and development at OHFT and designated individual for the licence, said: 'We're really pleased to have reached this milestone. Obtaining the HTA licence has involved considerable work across the team to make sure we have the right governance, quality systems, facilities, and processes in place. BOSS is an important part of the research infrastructure we are developing at Oxford Health.' The Human Tissue Authority regulates organisations in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland that store and use human tissue for research and other purposes.

How it is being reported

• Oxford Health gains key licence for secure research sample storageOxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT) has been granted a Human Tissue Authority (HTA) research licence for its Oxford BioStorage Service (BOSS).Oxford Mail · 14 Nov, 16:00
• Oxford Health gains key licence for secure research sample storageOxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT) has been granted a Human Tissue Authority (HTA) research licence for its Oxford BioStorage Service (BOSS).Oxfordshire Guardian · 14 Nov, 16:00

In this story: Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust · Human Tissue Authority · NIHR Clinical Research Facility · Warneford Hospital · Claudia Hurducas

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