What Laboratory and Analytical Services Does Epistem Provide?

Updated

Epistem provides laboratory and analytical services across two settings: GCLP-accredited clinical trial support (histology, immunohistochemistry, image analysis, gene expression and DNA genotyping) and preclinical research services built around in vitro and in vivo models, organoids, and a range of molecular and imaging platforms. The services suit drug discovery, development and early clinical teams that need biomarker, pathology or gene-expression data to support decisions, particularly in oncology, inflammatory disease and gastrointestinal disease including GI toxicity.

Clinical Trial and GCLP-Accredited Laboratory Services

Epistem's GCLP-accredited laboratories support clinical trials with:

  • Histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) — tissue preparation and staining for pathological assessment.
  • Image analysis — quantitative interpretation of stained or imaged samples.
  • Gene expression analysis — measurement of gene activity in clinical samples.
  • DNA genotyping — genetic characterisation of samples.

These are relevant when a trial protocol requires validated, accredited laboratory readouts rather than exploratory research data. If your study needs GCLP-compliant pathology or molecular endpoints, this is the part of the offering to discuss first.

Molecular and Genomic Services

The services list includes a broad molecular toolkit:

Service Typical use
RNAscope Spatial detection of RNA within tissue sections
High-throughput PCR Higher-volume nucleic acid amplification and quantification
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) Broader genomic profiling
qPCR and microarray analysis Targeted expression quantification and array-based profiling
Gene expression analysis Measuring transcriptional activity across sample sets
Disease and pathway panels Focused profiling of relevant biological pathways
Bioinformatics Downstream analysis and interpretation of generated data

The combination matters: a project can move from sample preparation through RNAscope or PCR, into NGS, and then into bioinformatics support without handing data between separate providers.

Biomarker and Analytical Platforms

Epistem lists several platforms aimed at biomarker work:

  • Plucked hair biomarker platform — a less-invasive sample route for biomarker measurement; worth asking about directly if repeated sampling is a constraint in your study design.
  • Multiplexed cytokine profiling — measuring multiple cytokines per sample, useful in inflammatory and immune-focused work.
  • Laser capture microdissection — isolating specific cell populations from heterogeneous tissue before downstream analysis.
  • Flow cytometry — cell-level phenotyping and counting.
  • Imaging — visual and quantitative readouts supporting pathology and spatial biology.

For inflammatory disease programmes, multiplexed cytokine profiling and flow cytometry are the natural entry points; for tissue heterogeneity questions, laser capture microdissection paired with RNAscope or NGS is the more relevant combination.

Research Models That Feed These Services

The laboratory services sit alongside preclinical models that generate the samples in the first place:

  • Inflammatory bowel disease models
  • Organoids for complex physiological systems and disease modelling
  • Dermatology models
  • Oncology models
  • Immune cell assays
  • Biodefence models
  • GI toxicity and mucositis models

Because Epistem runs both the models and the analytical readouts, a programme can be designed so that samples from an in vivo or organoid study flow directly into histology, IHC, image analysis or gene expression work. That continuity is the practical advantage to check when scoping a project.

How to Decide Whether Epistem Fits

Use these conditions to judge fit:

  • Choose Epistem for clinical-trial laboratory work if you need GCLP-accredited histology, IHC, image analysis, gene expression or genotyping — accreditation is the deciding factor.
  • Choose Epistem for preclinical programmes in oncology, inflammatory disease or GI disease where you want models and analytical readouts from one provider.
  • Ask specifically about the plucked hair biomarker platform if your study needs minimally invasive, repeatable biomarker sampling.
  • Confirm scope early if your work falls outside oncology, inflammation or GI — the published focus is concentrated there, and custom protocols are offered, so fit should be verified rather than assumed.

Epistem states it has worked with over 200 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and offers custom protocols and personalised services. Pricing and access terms are not published on the homepage, so commercial details need to be requested through direct contact.