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EnglishWhich Research Models Does Epistem Offer for Preclinical Drug Development?
Updated
Epistem offers preclinical research models in seven areas listed on its website: inflammatory bowel disease, organoids, dermatology, oncology, immune cell assays, biodefence, and GI toxicity and mucositis. These sit alongside its service lines (histology and immunohistochemistry, RNAscope, PCR and sequencing, bioinformatics and others) and analytical platforms. The company positions the models as "reliable, innovative, and transferable" and as decision-support tools across drug discovery, development and the early clinical pipeline. If your programme falls in oncology, inflammatory disease or gastrointestinal disease, the model list is likely to cover your needs; if it falls outside those areas, the site gives no indication of coverage, so confirm directly before planning work.
The seven research model areas
| Model area | What the site says | Best fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Inflammatory bowel disease | Listed as a research model with a "Learn more" page | IBD-targeted programmes |
| Organoids | Described as models "for the modelling of complex physiological systems and diseases" | Studies needing complex physiology or disease modelling |
| Dermatology | Listed as a research model | Skin-focused programmes |
| Oncology | Listed as a research model; the site also spotlights an antibody–drug conjugate paper on SEZ6 in small cell lung cancer | Cancer programmes, including ADCs |
| Immune cell assays | Listed as a research model | Immune-response readouts |
| Biodefence | Listed as a research model | Biodefence-related work |
| GI toxicity & mucositis | Listed as a research model | Safety assessment of gastrointestinal toxicity |
The site describes the preclinical portfolio as covering both in vitro and in vivo models, with a focus on oncology and inflammatory diseases and "extensive experience in the gastrointestinal disease area, including GI toxicities."
How the models are positioned
Epistem frames its models, platforms and services as supporting decision-making "throughout the drug discovery, development, and early clinical pipeline." Two implications follow:
- Transferability is the stated selling point. The company claims its models are transferable, which matters if you need results from a model to inform later-stage decisions rather than stand alone as a single experiment.
- Models connect to a wider service chain. Because histology, immunohistochemistry, image analysis, gene expression, RNAscope, PCR, sequencing and bioinformatics are offered in-house, a model study can be paired with the readouts needed to interpret it. The site also notes GCLP-accredited laboratories supporting clinical trials, which is relevant if a programme is moving from preclinical into early clinical work.
What to check before enquiring
The homepage lists model areas but not the specific strains, endpoints, throughput or turnaround for each. Before committing:
- Match your disease area to the list. Oncology, IBD, dermatology, GI toxicity/mucositis, immune cell assays, organoids and biodefence are named; anything else needs confirmation.
- Ask which model within an area fits your question. "Oncology" spans many model types, and the site does not enumerate them.
- Confirm the readout package. Decide whether you need the model alone or combined with histology, gene expression or bioinformatics services, and ask how those are scoped together.
- Check the accreditation relevance. If your study will support a clinical trial, ask specifically about the GCLP-accredited laboratory services.
The site cites a track record with over 200 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and includes a testimonial praising on-study and post-study support, which suggests custom protocols and tailored service are part of the offer. Pricing is not published, so cost and contracting terms need to come from a direct enquiry.