Nelson Laboratories Celebrates 30 Years

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of Nelson Laboratories Inc. The Salt Lake City, Utah-based company is a microbiology testing and consulting services organization serving medical device, pharmaceutical, tissue, and life-science firms.

Established on Oct. 1, 1985, by Dr. Jerry R. Nelson and Lynda S. Nelson, Nelson Laboratories began in a 2,200 square foot lab at the University of Utah’s Research Park. Five employees offered 40 microbiology tests performed on refurbished lab equipment.

The enactment of the Medical Device Amendments nine years earlier, in 1976, began the modern era of medical device regulation—and the need for more precise testing. After serving as lab director at the University of Utah, and a stint working with a startup lab, the Nelsons recognized an opportunity in the microbiology testing of medical devices.
They mortgaged their home to start the business.

Nelson Laboratories’ president and CEO, Jeffery R. Nelson, son of the founders, noted that continuous advancements will be a landmark of the next 30 years at Nelson Labs and within the medical technology industry at large.

“If a glimpse of the past 30 years is any prediction of the future—we are very optimistic. At Nelson Laboratories we are developing new test methods to ensure product safety and efficacy because we understand that every test matters,” Jeffrey Nelson said. “We are collaborating with clients to help them overcome their unique product and regulatory hurdles. We are investing in new services, equipment, and facilities, expanding our footprint to localize our services, and developing our talent pool to continue providing the industry’s best expertise and service.”

In 2015 Nelson Labs opened a dedicated analytical chemistry lab, entered a sales support relationship with MedNetfor improved service to their European, Israeli and Turkish clients, and is developing in-vitro testing alternatives to reduce or eliminate in-vivo animal testing.

Today, the company has more than 530 employees who provide a wide range of testing, consulting, and validation services to clients worldwide. Over the years, Nelson Labs has grown from a small lab into a 128,400-square-foot facility.

Jeffery Nelson, who now owns the company and has served as CEO since 2006, said, “My parents established a legacy of integrity, quality, and service at Nelson Labs and we will always maintain our commitment to these values. I am honored to lead a team that understands why these values matter, and how to live and work according to this standard every day. Our team knows that every test matters when it comes to improving the quality of life.”

According to the company, it serves 4,000 clients in more than 52 countries. Nelson Labs’ scientific community also actively participates on more than 45 working groups and committees, including the American Society for Testing and Materials, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, and the International Organization for Standardization, among others.