Pharmaceutical, Biotech & GMP Manufacturing worked example

Assay Turnaround Cost at 92% assay scope included: a worked example

What does the result look like when assay scope included reaches 92%? The full calculation is worked below with real intermediate numbers. Use it when GMP, QA, QC, validation, manufacturing, or operations teams need a quick planning estimate to compare QC outsourcing, overtime, method transfer, or expedited release testing options.

The inputs for this scenario

  • QC assays or samples: 100 tests (unchanged)
  • Cost per assay or sample: 45 $ / test (unchanged)
  • Assay scope included: 92 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 80)
  • Fixed lab support cost: 250 $ (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Variable Assay turnaround cost = QC assays or samples × Cost per assay or sample × Assay scope included) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 4,390 $ for total assay turnaround cost, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 43.9 $ / piece for assay cost per test.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 4,140 $ for variable assay cost.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 250 $ for fixed lab support cost.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where assay scope included sits at 80% and the headline result is 3,850 $, this scenario comes in 14.03% above the baseline at 4,390 $.
  • A figure at this level is achievable when assay scope included is genuinely sustained, not just peaked for a shift. It assumes one average cost per test, but a rapid identity check and a full stability-indicating HPLC method differ by an order of magnitude — separate them if the panel is mixed.

Results at a glance

  • Total assay turnaround cost: 4,390 $ (headline result)
  • Assay cost per test: 43.9 $ / piece
  • Variable assay cost: 4,140 $
  • Fixed lab support cost: 250 $

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Assay Turnaround Cost calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.