Imavita

Imavita is a France-based contract research organization (CRO) for non-clinical studies. With its strengths in proprietary imaging technologies and diverse disease models, Imavita strongly supports the acceleration of drug discovery research. This article describes in detail the features of Imavita's services and the solutions it can provide.

Characteristics of Imavita's Contract Non-clinical Trial Services

High-precision analysis using proprietary imaging technology

One of Imavita's unique features is its evaluation system, which utilizes specialized imaging techniques. The ability to observe in vivo changes noninvasively allows data to be acquired over time in the same individual. This allows for more detailed and quantitative analysis of drug effects.

In addition to conventional analysis using tissue sections, bio-imaging in the living state is combined with bio-imaging to achieve multifaceted evaluation. The ability to provide scientific data while taking animal welfare (3Rs) into consideration is highly valued by researchers.

Flexible test customization to suit your research phase

Another advantage is that we can flexibly customize test systems according to the customer's specific research objectives and target molecules. We can not only use existing models as they are, but also construct new models and create protocols.

Our experts accompany the project from the early stages of drug discovery and propose appropriate experimental plans. We have a system in place to respond quickly and flexibly to detailed requests for niche diseases and special experimental conditions that are difficult for major CROs to handle.

An example of Imavita's pathological model

Diverse disease models in the field of dermatology

We offer a wide variety of skin disease models including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne (acne suppuration), and wound healing. In psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in particular, we are able to measure skin thickness quantitatively over time using advanced equipment such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) as well as visual inflammation scores in IMQ and oxazolone induced models.

This allows us to obtain more objective numerical data on the therapeutic effects of drugs.

Evaluation system specialized for bone and joint diseases

We have a wealth of evaluation systems related to bone metabolism and arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and fracture healing models. One of the main features of our system is the ability to analyze bone mineral density (BMD) and changes in bone microstructure three-dimensionally and quantitatively using image analysis techniques such as micro-CT and SPECT/CT.

The ability to track changes over time without destructive testing helps reduce the number of animals used while increasing data reliability.

Imavita's Non-clinical Case Studies

Verification of the effect of botulinum toxin on skin

Imavita collaborated with Ipsen, a major pharmaceutical company, and the results were published in Toxicon, a journal of toxicology, in 2023. In this case study, a unique dermatological model was utilized to compare and verify in detail the effects and changes on the skin after a single injection of botulinum toxin preparation (aboBoNT-A).

Thus, a scientific approach using advanced models is possible not only in drug development, but also in formulation evaluation in the field of cosmetic medicine.

Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies integrating imaging technology

We have a unique example of an "image-enhanced PK (pharmacokinetic) study" that combines analysis by conventional blood sampling with near-infrared fluorescence imaging. This technique allows visual and quantitative monitoring of drug distribution to target organs as well as blood levels.

This is an innovative approach that allows observation of the same individuals over time, which improves the reliability of the data and contributes to reducing the number of animals required for testing.

Imavita Company Information

Imavita is a non-clinical CRO headquartered near Toulouse, France. With pharmaceutical and biotech companies as partners, Imavita offers its services to R&D sites around the world, especially in Europe.