Shanghai, November 6, 2025 – At the 8th China International Import Expo, Medicilon officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Xellar Biosystems, a biotech company pioneering the integration of organ-on-a-chip and AI technologies. This partnership combines Medicilon’s one-stop preclinical drug R&D service platform with Xellar’s advanced organ-on-a-chip systems, AI analytics, and high-content 3D imaging to build a next-generation, more predictive, and efficient drug development model.
Innovation Synergy: Complementary Strengths Drive Collaboration
Xellar Biosystems stands at the forefront of biotechnology by integrating organ-on-a-chip, 3D high-content imaging, computer vision, and AI analysis. Its technology precisely replicates human organ physiology and pathology, generating vast and highly accurate 3D pharmacodynamic data during preclinical studies. Xellar is currently collaborating with the U.S. FDA and several multinational pharmaceutical companies to develop the next-generation standards for preclinical pharmacological testing based on organ-on-a-chip technology, highlighting its technical leadership and industry influence.
As a leading one-stop preclinical CRO, Medicilon provides comprehensive pharmacological evaluation services covering modalities such as ADCs, nucleic acids, peptides, CGTs, PROTACs, and antibodies. With more than 790 validated animal models, including over 510 tumor and 280 non-tumor models, Medicilon also supports NAMs approaches with a dedicated service platform and holds international GLP certifications from the NMPA, FDA, and OECD. To date, Medicilon has supported over 2,000 global clients and contributed to 588 successful IND submissions.
Grounded in shared values of technological innovation and an aligned vision for AI-driven drug discovery, Medicilon and Xellar Biosystems will continue to explore collaborative opportunities that leverage their complementary strengths to advance the future of drug R&D.
Deep Collaboration: Building the Next Generation of Drug Development Platforms
According to the agreement, the two companies will follow the principles of mutual benefit, stability, efficiency, and quality to conduct long-term, multi-dimensional collaboration over the next five years. The partnership focuses on three key areas:
1. Co-Developing an Organoid Chip R&D and Service Platform
Xellar Biosystems will contribute its AI-driven organoid chip technology, while Medicilon will offer its extensive in vivo modeling capabilities and GLP-compliant preclinical systems. Together, they will establish an integrated R&D platform that bridges NAMs and animal models, providing global clients with an end-to-end solution from drug discovery through safety evaluation.
2. Joint Research on Organoid Chip-DMPK Prediction Technology
By combining Xellar’s organ-on-a-chip technology with Medicilon’s DMPK expertise, the collaboration aims to develop an in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) model to assess drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. This integration will accelerate development timelines for small molecules, ADCs, and other complex therapeutic modalities.
3. Pharmacology and Efficacy-Organoid Chip AI Integration
Through the integration of Medicilon’s pharmacology and efficacy platforms with Xellar’s organoid chip and AI-based imaging systems, the partners will create a cross-scale efficacy database spanning cellular, tissue, and animal models. This approach will enhance translational predictability and increase the success rate from preclinical to clinical stages.
In addition, the two parties plan to jointly apply for and undertake major national research initiatives, driving the widespread adoption of organ-on-a-chip and AI technologies in drug discovery and shaping future industry standards.
Leadership Insights
Dr. Xin Xie, Founder and CEO of Xellar Biosystems, said:
“Medicilon’s extensive project experience, international quality system, and vast client network offer invaluable validation and industrialization opportunities for Xellar’s technology. This collaboration will maximize the potential of our ‘3D-Wet-AI’ platform. Together with Medicilon, we aim to redefine preclinical research standards and deliver more precise and efficient R&D solutions to the global pharmaceutical community.”
Dr. Jina Cai, CBO of Medicilon, added:
“Xellar’s leadership in establishing FDA standards demonstrates its cutting-edge progress in organ-on-a-chip and AI integration. This partnership perfectly complements Medicilon’s strengths and international experience in preclinical research. By embedding these innovative technologies into our service platform, we will deliver more predictive R&D solutions and jointly drive a paradigm shift in drug development.”
