Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue
We’re redefining what researchers can expect from FFPE tissue blocks. Every specimen in our inventory undergoes rigorous internal pathologist review and DNA extraction quality checks to ensure integrity and downstream performance.
The result? Oncology biospecimens you can rely on — in less time, for less money.
TRUSTED BY LEADING RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS
Quality-controlled
All tissues undergo a full review by our in-house pathology team and a nucleic acid extraction QC, ensuring that only well-preserved samples make it to your lab bench.
Fast delivery
By maintaining all inventory onsite in our lab, we offer rapid processing and next-day shipping on most orders, supporting your research without unnecessary delays.
Affordable
With pricing that’s often 50–75% lower than traditional suppliers, you never have to choose between quality and affordability. With us, you get both.
Large selection
Our comprehensive inventory spans tumor and normal tissue blocks from all major organs and cancer types, giving you broad access to the specimens you need.
Our oncology FFPE tissue blocks, at a glance
We offer a variety of tissue-based products, including:
- Tumor tissue blocks from the majority of common cancer indications, including Bladder - Brain - Breast - Cervix - Colorectal - Esophageal - Head & neck - Kidney - Lymphoma - Liver - Lung - Ovarian - Prostate - Skin - Stomach - Uterine
- Preferred normal tissue blocks — including adrenal gland, skin, and other control tissues widely used in oncology development
To be included in our inventory, each block must meet strict quality thresholds:
- ≥ 5mm² tumor area
- ≥ 20% tumor content within the designated tumor area
- ≤ 50% necrosis within the designated tumor area
- ≥1mm block thickness
- Large inventory: Our large inventory spans dozens of oncology indications, including breast, lung, ovary, colorectal, head & neck, and melanoma.
- Matched sets: The majority of our FFPE tissue blocks have matched specimens, like matched normal adjacent tissue, matched metastatic sites, matched frozen tissue or additional sister tumor blocks for those iterative experiments that require large volumes of one case. Looking for matching plasma, buffy coat, whole-blood or serum, we have that too.
- Rich data: Each FFPE block (and every specimen!) includes clinical history, patient demographics, full pathology diagnosis, staging/demographics metadata, and pathology reports can be provided upon request.
- H&E slides: Looking for specific pathological features you want to preview for yourself? We offer digital scans of all H&E slides so that you can ensure the perfect, microscopic-fit, for your project.
- NGS tissue: If you’re looking for highly characterized, NGS-screened tissue, we have that for you too.
- Quick turn-around times: We always have ready-to-ship, fit-for-purpose FFPE blocks for rapid turnaround – less waiting, more science
- Determined to help source exactly what you need: We also offer prospective collections for rare or specific disease states, sample types, or formats not in the existing inventory – just reach out!
- Tissue in the format that you need: No in-house histotech services? No problem! We can get you FFPE samples in the format you need, providing tissue curls, unstained tissue slides, special stains, and custom tissue microarrays (TMAs).
When you source FFPE tissue from Reference Medicine, you get more than a block — you get verified quality, transparent data, and unmatched turnaround time.
Hassle-free and simplified tissue procurement from start to finish
We know that your time is precious, and we also know that your experiment can not be on hold for week or months (or dare we say it, ‘years!’) for specimens. That is why we do all the prep work for you, so we always have ready-to-ship, fit-for-purpose FFPE blocks ready to ship to your lab within days – less waiting, more science.
1. Review our Inventory
You can review and download current inventory, or you can ping us at hello@referencemedicine.com and we’ll get the latest listing right over to you. If you are looking for one of our pilot collections (i.e. longitudinal sets), these are not currently on the website, so please email us.
2. Request a quote
See specimens you would like to acquire? Simply send us an email or submit your request online and we’ll quickly build your order and get you a quote. Alternatively, you can send us specimen requirements and we are happy to help you navigate our inventory and make your selections.
3. Become a customer
Prior to transferring the specimens, we will need an agreement in place. To start this process, visit and complete our Customer Onboarding Form. In addition, feel free to connect us with your procurement team and we will work with them to get set up as a supplier in your system.
4. Place your order
To lock in your request, send us a Purchase Order or you can submit a signed quote. Once either of those are received, you’ll receive an emailed confirmation from us with our planned ship date and your shipping address. We will then ship whenever it is convenient for you!
Not ready to onboard a new vendor? Let us prove to you that it’ll be worth it.
We know vendor onboarding can feel like a full-time job — and if you’ve worked with other specimen providers, you may be feeling some procurement burnout.
That’s exactly why we created our Try a Block program. Before you commit to anything, we’ll send you a complimentary FFPE block so you can evaluate our quality firsthand. Put us to the test. Review the H&E, run your assays, stress the sample however you need to.
We’re confident you’ll see the difference: rigorously QCed tissue, transparent data, fast turnaround, and a team that treats your research like its own.
Your time is valuable. We’ll prove we’re worth it.
Reference Medicine FFPE offerings
HIGH STANDARDS OF COLLECTION, ANNOTATION, AND OUR DELIGHT GUARANTEE
Our FFPE blocks and slides are collected under IRB-approved protocols from partner hospitals and labs.
Every FFPE block we receive goes through in-house DNA QC, ensuring specimen applicability for downstream molecular analysis.
Your delight is always guaranteed! We stand by our products and time-tested techniques 100%. If there are any issues with your order, we will make it right - replace it, refund it, whatever it takes to ensure you're positively delighted.
Enjoy complimentary H&E slides with all of your FFPE tissue shipments - no extra costs, no need to ask.
All of our samples undergo on-site pathologist review, including tissue quality (tumor percentage, necrosis, adjacent normal controls), diagnosis confirmation, and molecular annotation when available.
Our NGS-screened tissue blocks & sets provide tumor and normal FFPE specimens (and matched sets) carefully sequenced across DNA and RNA, so you work with samples that already carry the molecular insights your assays need.
Get in touch today to explore our current FFPE inventory and custom collection options.
QC so nice, we do it twice
Acquiring samples with poor preservation is simply a nightmare. We perform rigorous checks at every step, including DNA and RNA yield and fragmentation analysis, so your specimens never miss the mark.
Step 01
Patient enrollment
Specimen collections at accredited hospitals under strict regulatory approvals.
Step 02
Solid pre-analytics
Timely and careful specimen preparation and processing, adhering to precise procedures.
Step 03
Pathology review
Board-certified review for tissue quality, tumor %, necrosis %, and diagnosis confirmation.
Step 04
Nucleic acid check
Extract DNA for yield and quality verification, along with genomic annotation.
Step 05
Game time!
High-quality, purpose-built specimens that are ready to ship to your lab.
Precision FFPE processing leads to the best results. We know.
We are more than just a specimen provider, we are your partner who works side-by-side with you to share knowledge so we can all do better science. From microtomy tips and validation cohort advice, to best practices for tissue grossing and preservation, we are here to support you every step of the way.
