Preclinical Pharmacology Services
In vivo, In vitro, Ex vivo
Comprehensive Safety Profiling for IND Filing and Beyond
In vivo Pharmacology Studies
Our broad portfolio of in vivo oncology models enables the evaluation of drug efficacy, immune modulation, and mechanism of action across a range of therapeutic modalities. This foundation within our preclinical pharmacology services platform supports rapid proof-of-concept and dose-optimization decisions.
Cell line-derived xenografts (CDX) are tumor models made by implanting human cancer cell lines into mice to study tumor growth and drug response
Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) are tumor models created by implanting human patient tumor tissues into mice to study cancer biology and treatment response
Orthotopic and systemic models involve implanting tumor cells into their original organ site or introducing them systemically to mimic natural tumor growth and metastasis
Syngeneic models use mouse tumor cells implanted into genetically identical mice to study tumor–immune system interactions in an intact immune environment
Humanized mouse models are mice engineered with human immune cells or tissues to study human-specific immune responses and immunotherapy effects in vivo
Inflammation and immune disease models replicate human immune or inflammatory conditions in animals to study disease mechanisms and evaluate therapeutic interventions
CNS pharmacology models simulate neurological and psychiatric disorders to study brain function, drug effects, and therapeutic mechanisms targeting the central nervous system
Cardiovascular and metabolic disease models mimic human heart and metabolic disorders to study disease mechanisms and evaluate potential therapies
Digestive system disease models replicate gastrointestinal disorders to investigate disease mechanisms and assess potential treatments for digestive health
Ocular disease models simulate eye disorders to study disease progression and evaluate therapeutic strategies for vision and ocular health
Case Studies
Proven Results with Medicilon
Small molecule efficacy in glioblastoma orthotopic models
Checkpoint antibody activity in colon cancer
T cell engager effects in systemic/solid tumors
CAR-T therapy in myeloma xenografts
Explore our preclinical oncology models and accelerate your therapeutic pipeline
In Vitro Assays
Our in vitro pharmacology services provide critical data on drug potency, mechanism of action, and stability in a controlled laboratory setting. These assays form an essential component of our broader pharmacology discovery services, supporting screening, profiling, and optimization of therapeutic candidates.
Applications Include:
Drug screening and profiling
Profile discovery to lead candidates for optimal physicochemical properties and target engagement.
Mechanistic investigations
Refine dosing strategies and predict human responses.
In Vitro ADME Assays
Drug screening and profiling
Our in vitro assays prioritize early-stage efficiency, enabling:
ADC catabolism studies in plasma, lysosome, and liver S9 fractions
Resistant tumor model analysis
Case study
NCI-H1975 osimertinib-resistant NSCLC model
In Vitro Drug Screening
- Model: NCI-H1975 NSCLC parental vs. resistant cells
- Assay: CCK-8, 3-day viability assay
- Findings:
- IC₅₀ value shifted from 65.9 nM (parental) to 10.94 µM (resistant)
- Resistance Fold (RF): 166
In Vivo Efficacy Study
- Animal Model: Balb/c nude mice (female)
- Cell Implantation: NCI-H1975 parental and resistant cells, 2 × 10⁶ cells/mouse, right flank
- Treatment Regimen: Osimertinib, 5 mg/kg, oral, QD × 21
Results:
- Parental tumors showed strong sensitivity with 93.72% TGI at Day 20 and %T/C = 6.22
- Resistant tumors exhibited reduced sensitivity with 70.05% TGI at Day 21 and %T/C = 28.11
In Vitro ADME Assays
Mechanistic investigations
Our in vitro assays prioritize early-stage efficiency, enabling:
Cathepsin-mediated payload release
ADC plasma stability evaluation
Case study
Cathepsin-medicated release
These in vitro pharmacology services support lead optimization, toxicity assessment, and mechanistic validation during candidate selection, empowering our clients to make data-driven development decisions.
Gain the insight you need - refine your development strategy today
Ex vivo Analysis
Ex vivo platforms extend the depth of pharmacological evaluation, bridging in vivo efficacy with molecular understanding of Medicilon’s preclinical pharmacology services.
Biomarker Analysis from Ex Vivo Samples
- Molecular profiling of tissues, blood, plasma, and serum to quantify PD endpoints
- Verification of drug – target engagement and pathway modulation through biomarker correlation
Tissue Distribution and Organ Profiling
- Radiolabeled compound imaging and tissue quantitation post-mortem
- Supports PK/PD modeling and organ-specific penetration (e.g., brain, liver, tumors)
Functional and Mechanistic Assays
- Metabolic pathway and toxicity assessments using tissue biopsies
- Ultrasound-guided and perfusion-based sampling for precision pharmacokinetics
Case Studies:
- ADC biomarker analysis and tumor response evaluation
- Combination therapy and radiation impact in glioblastoma models
- ADC metabolism and plasma stability assessments
ADC plasma stability was assessed in mouse and human plasma over 21 days at 37°C, with small molecule payload shedding monitored by LC-MS/MS to evaluate metabolic stability across species.
Preclinical Strengths- WHY MEDICILON
Built for precision, backed by expertise
Custom Solutions
Tailored studies to match your project’s unique needs
Expert Teams
Over 20 years of experience delivering reliable data
Global Presence
State-of-the-art facilities in China and the US
Regulatory Compliance
IND/NDA-ready packages aligned with global standards
Enhance you IND package with ex vivo precision
Frequently Asked Questions
Pharmacology FAQs
What types of in vivo models are available at Medicilon for pharmacology studies
Medicilon offers one of the industry’s largest portfolios, including more than 390 tumor models (xenograft, PDX, orthotopic, syngeneic, and humanized), over 240 non-tumor disease models, and specialized systems for CAR-T, immuno-oncology, transgenic, and drug-resistant tumors. Multiple species and custom model development services are also available.
Which in vitro assays support oncology and drug mechanism studies at Medicilon?
In vitro solutions include high-throughput screening with tumor and resistant cell lines, proliferation and cytotoxicity assays, receptor occupancy studies, cytokine multiplex testing, ELISA/MSD platforms, and extensive immune function assessments such as ADCC/ADCP and cell differentiation. These assays play a vital role in lead optimization and mechanistic research.
How is ex vivo analysis integrated into preclinical projects at Medicilon?
Ex vivo analysis bridges in vivo and in vitro data by enabling molecular and functional studies on samples collected from animal models. Core approaches include biomarker quantification from blood/tissue, flow cytometry for immune phenotyping, post-mortem organ/tumor profiling for drug distribution (including radiolabeled compounds), and mechanistic assays such as metabolic profiling or advanced imaging of biopsied tissues.
Can case examples of ex vivo or integrated analysis from Medicilon’s oncology projects be provided?
Yes. Examples include:
- ADC efficacy in colon tumor models, combining IVIS in vivo imaging with ex vivo biomarker analysis (Ki67, caspase-3).
- Humanized mouse models, featuring ex vivo flow cytometry and cytokine profiling from PBMCs, tumors, and organs.
- Orthotopic glioblastoma studies, pairing live in vivo imaging with detailed endpoint ex vivo tissue and molecular analyses.
What are the main benefits of combining in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo pharmacology at Medicilon?
This integrated approach produces robust, translatable data on efficacy, mechanism, safety, and immune effects in clinically relevant settings. By leveraging advanced models, analytical platforms, and cutting-edge assays, Medicilon reduces program risk, accelerates IND-enabling decisions, and improves clinical trial readiness.
What instrumentation and analytical capabilities support these studies?
Medicilon’s studies are powered by advanced instrumentation, including BD FACSymphony and LSRFortessa flow cytometers, IVIS Lumina/Spectrum imaging, small animal irradiation systems, and specialized surgical/biopsy tools, enabling multi-layered pharmacology studies and comprehensive ex vivo analyses.
Your Partner in Preclincal Pharmacology Research
With advanced modeling systems, imaging technologies, and biomarker platforms, Medicilon delivers preclinical pharmacology services designed to meet evolving regulatory and scientific expectations. Every study is supported by scientific rigor, operational efficiency, and a commitment to data integrity.
