SYNLAB in the UK & Ireland
This timeline shows the development of SYNLAB UK & Ireland up until the present day, including acquisitions and the launch of new ventures.
Foundation of SYNLAB GmbH
Together with a number of partners, Dr. Bartl Wimmer establishes SYNLAB GmbH as an ‘association of freelance laboratory physicians’ in Augsburg, Germany.
Foundation of Labco SA
A group of French biologists establish Labco SA with 9 groups of laboratories in France.
Synergy Health
Synergy Health, the award winning and world-leading company in outsourced health-related industries (founded in 1991), purchases Isotron, along with JMJ Laboratories.
SYNLAB Clinical Trial Ltd
SYNLAB UK&I begins as SYNLAB Clinical Trial Ltd in London, SYNLAB’s first UK contract.
Synergy Health Laboratory Services
JMJ Laboratories is renamed Synergy Health Laboratory Services.
Integrated Pathology Partnerships (iPP)
Integrated Pathology Partnerships (iPP) is established to work in partnership with the NHS to deliver transformed pathology testing services in the UK.
Labco invests in their first UK laboratory
Labco invests in their first UK laboratory, the pathology laboratory in Huthwaite, to provide a high quality but competitive service to the largest independent provider of dialysis care in the UK
Southwest Pathology Services (SPS)
Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) is formed as a joint venture between iPP, Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The Christie Pathology Partnership (CPP)
The Christie Pathology Partnership (CPP) is established as a joint venture between SYNLAB UK&I and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester.
Pathology First
Pathology First is formed as a joint venture between iPP, Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and private sector partners.
Cinven acquires Labco SA
SYNLAB Group
Cinven acquires SYNLAB, combining forces to form SYNLAB Group, creating one of the largest European operators of medical diagnostic laboratories, headquartered in Germany.
Pathology First laboratory
HRH The Duke of Kent opened the Pathology First laboratory, marking an important first step towards realising the vision of an innovative and high-quality pathology service in South Essex.
Synnovis
SYNLAB UK&I forms a new pathology partnership with Guy’s and St Thomas’, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trusts to deliver and transform NHS pathology services across South East London. This partnership is called Synnovis.
Synnovis is launched
On 4 October Synnovis is launched, replacing the service known as Viapath, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the NHS, SYNLAB UK&I and pathology services in London, under a contract spanning 15 years.
Synnovis Hub
Synnovis Hub goes live. April 2 marked a milestone achievement for Synnovis as its new, state-of-the-art hub laboratory in south east London processed its first live pathology samples. The moment was captured here.
New 15+ year contract for CPP
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust & SYNLAB announce new 15+ year contract with SYNLAB for the delivery of a high-quality, responsive pathology service for The Christie and patients across Greater Manchester.
A unified pathology service for mid and south Essex
A single pathology service for mid and south Essex is confirmed from October 2026. Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust has signed a 15-year contract with SYNLAB, one of UK’s leading laboratory diagnostics providers, for the delivery of a unified pathology service for mid and south Essex.
