It goes without saying that patient samples are the backbone of clinical trials, but what does that really mean? These biospecimens provide the data that sponsors need in order to determine the safety and efficacy of potentially life-saving, life-changing treatments. Just as important, however, the patient samples that support clinical research are physical extensions of real people who oftentimes already find themselves in a vulnerable state because of disease. Treating their biospecimens with extreme care not only optimizes and accelerates study outcomes; it’s also an act of respect towards those who are already sacrificing so much of themselves by participating in a trial.