Arkana Laboratories on Thursday opened its newly renovated laboratory in Little Rock. The 24,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility provides same-day biopsy services to patients across the nation. Arkana invested $24 million in the lab.
Arkana is the largest kidney pathology lab in the country, processing more than 30,000 biopsies annually.
Arkana executives joined state officials and local stakeholders to celebrate the grand opening and the company’s 25th anniversary on Thursday.
“The rapid growth of Arkana Laboratories over the last 25 years has been fueled by our commitment to improving patient care by advancing our understanding of disease and providing world-class diagnostics,” said Dr. Chris Larsen, CEO of Arkana Laboratories. “Our continued job growth, as well as the expansion of our infrastructure and investment in R&D, are all focused on leaning even further into this mission, and we anticipate that growth for years to come.”
The newly renovated laboratory significantly expands Arkana’s diagnostic and research capabilities, which feature advanced molecular testing technology, enhanced digital pathology infrastructure and optimized workflow design to improve efficiency and turnaround times for patients’ results, according to a press release. The space was intentionally designed to support collaboration between pathologists, scientists and clinical teams.
“For nearly three decades, Arkana Laboratories has been an integral player in the world of pathology, not only here in central Arkansas but also across the country,” said Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “Their latest expansion in Little Rock will ensure Arkansans and Americans alike have more access to top-tier medical research and diagnostics than ever before. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Larsen and the entire team at Arkana for their continued investment in the Natural State and for their commitment to improving the health and well-being of people across the country.”
Founded in 2001, Arkana has steadily grown since, opening a molecular laboratory in 2012, adding neuropathology services in 2014 and creating a clinical trials division in 2017. In September 2022, Arkana announced plans to expand its Little Rock operations, creating more than 70 jobs.
“Over the past 25 years, Arkana Laboratories has become an Arkansas success story as it evolved into the largest kidney pathology lab in the nation,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “Arkana’s new laboratory sets the company up for continued growth and another 25 years of success. We’re proud to have this outstanding company in Little Rock and congratulate them on their grand opening.”
Feature image: CEO Chris Larsen speaks at the grand opening of Arkana’s new lab. (Photo courtesy of AEDC)
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