Labcorp Expands Primary‑Care Alzheimer’s Blood Test Rollout, Appoints Neurosurgeon John Sampson to Board

Primary care rollout of an FDA‑cleared Alzheimer’s blood test expands Labcorp’s clinical reach

Labcorp is rolling out the Elecsys pTau‑181 blood test to primary care nationwide, expanding access to an FDA‑cleared biomarker that aids initial assessment of Alzheimer’s disease in symptomatic patients aged 55 and older. Developed by Roche Diagnostics and cleared in 2025, the assay is now available via a simple blood draw at physicians’ offices and at Labcorp’s more than 2,200 patient service centers, offering a less invasive and more accessible alternative to PET scans and lumbar punctures.

Clinically, the test helps clinicians rule out Alzheimer’s pathology by identifying symptomatic patients unlikely to have amyloid buildup, and Labcorp cites a 97.9% negative predictive value for the assay. That high NPV enables primary care clinicians—who are often the first point of contact for cognitive concerns—to evaluate patients with negative results for other causes of cognitive decline and to refer patients with positive results for additional specialty testing. Labcorp frames the expansion as a tool to reduce unnecessary specialist referrals amid a national shortage of neurologists and to support earlier, more timely assessment for the estimated 7.2 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease.

From a services and market perspective, integrating Elecsys pTau‑181 into Labcorp’s testing menu strengthens its position in blood‑based biomarker diagnostics and bolsters its role in facilitating earlier diagnosis and personalized medicine. The availability across primary and specialty settings supports clinicians with actionable results that can streamline care pathways, inform treatment discussions and reduce patient costs. Labcorp positions the rollout as consistent with its broader strategy to link diagnostic testing, clinical trials and drug development partnerships globally.

Board appointment adds academic neurology and research leadership

Labcorp also names John H. Sampson, M.D., Ph.D., MHSc, MBA, to its board, effective Feb. 9. Sampson is vice chancellor for health affairs and dean at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, a practicing neurosurgeon, member of the National Academy of Medicine and an author of nearly 300 peer‑reviewed publications; the board assigns him to the Quality and Compliance Committee.

Strategic alignment with research and clinical leadership

Company executives say Sampson’s expertise in oncology, neuroscience and personalized medicine aligns with Labcorp’s strategic focus on diagnostics and drug development, supporting efforts to advance earlier diagnosis, biomarker use and development of new therapies.