Imavita S.A.S. is a France-based contract research organization (CRO) for non-clinical studies. With its strengths in proprietary imaging technologies and diverse disease models, Imavita S.A.S. strongly supports the acceleration of drug discovery research. This article describes in detail the features of Imavita S.A.S.'s services and the solutions it can provide.
One of Imavita S.A.S.'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.
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.
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.
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.A.S. 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.
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 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.
| Address | 64 impasse de la Viguerie, ZA La Masquère, F-31750 Escalquens / Toulouse - FRANCE |
|---|---|
| Tel | +33 (0)9 72 60 18 16 |
| Website | https://imavita.com/ |
In non-clinical development, the choice of contract research organization shapes the quality of the data and the time it takes to reach the next decision. Below, three CROs are introduced by the type of study they support: pharmacology (efficacy) studies, safety studies, and pharmacokinetic (PK/PD) studies. Each summary describes the services the company offers so that you can match a provider to your target and development objective.
SMC Laboratories is a specialized non-clinical CRO focused on in vivo pharmacology and efficacy studies using disease-relevant animal models, particularly in fibrosis, inflammation, metabolic diseases, and oncology.
SMC Laboratories offers models covering the liver, lung, kidney, intestine, and oncology. Its portfolio includes the proprietary STAM™ model for MASH, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Study plans are developed around the target biology, mechanism of action, disease stage, and development objective. Pharmacological endpoints can be combined with histopathology, biomarkers, and disease-specific readouts.
With experience from more than 1,000 studies for clients in 30 countries, SMC Laboratories supports programs from target validation and candidate selection through in vivo proof-of-concept studies.
Charles River provides non-clinical toxicology and safety assessment services for programs ranging from exploratory safety studies to IND-enabling development.
Services include single- and repeat-dose toxicology, dose-range finding, and general toxicology studies across multiple species and administration routes.
Charles River supports both non-GLP and GLP studies, allowing sponsors to progress from early safety characterization to studies intended for regulatory submissions.
Toxicology studies can be integrated with toxicokinetics, clinical pathology, histopathology, and safety pharmacology to support interpretation and IND-enabling safety packages.
Inotiv provides integrated PK/PD, DMPK, and bioanalytical services to characterize drug exposure and its relationship with pharmacological response.
PK studies characterize exposure, half-life, clearance, and other pharmacokinetic parameters needed to understand how a candidate behaves in the selected model.
Pharmacokinetic data can be combined with pharmacodynamic endpoints and bioanalysis to evaluate the relationship between drug exposure and pharmacological response.
Integrated DMPK, pharmacology, and safety information supports candidate comparison, dose selection, dosing-frequency optimization, and decisions about subsequent preclinical development.