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New Drug Research Center

Table of Contents
Table of Contents

Effective October 1, 2024, Shinyaku Research Center, Inc. and Anpaku Center, Inc. merged, and the merged entity changed its name to TransGenic, Inc.

Below is a description of the pre-merger information.

NDRcenter is a contract research organization with extensive experience in evaluating the pharmacological effects of pharmaceuticals. This page provides an overview of the company’s non-clinical capabilities, examples of disease models, and representative study cases. We hope you can use this information for a reference when selecting a CRO for your non-clinical needs.

Features of NDRcenter’s Non-clinical Contract Services

High-Quality GLP-Compliant Studies

NDRcenter provides GLP(Good laboratory Practice) non-clinical studies. This ensures clients with highly reliable data. The company offers a wide range of safety study in general toxicity, reproductive/developmental toxicity studies. These rigorous safety evaluation are essential during the development of pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices.

Broad Study Capabilities and Flexibility

NDRcenter provides a wide range of non-clinical studies in pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and foods. They are particularly known for their flexibility in handling a variety of safety studies —such as skin sensitization and cytotoxicity assays —they will provide an efficient, one-stop-for-all service for a variety of study types.

Specialized Testing and Analytical Expertise

They offer biochemical testing and histopathological evaluation with the team of experienced specialists. The company also has a dedicated quality assurance department to ensure the delivery of accurate and reliable data: detailed analysis and in-depth evaluation that is tailored to each client’s research needs.

Examples of Disease Models Available at NDRcenter

It is essential to go through the testing of candidate compounds in animal models that reproduce the target disease before advancing to clinical trials.

However, clinically relevant disease models may not always exist, thus there are demands for animal models with strong clinical correlation.

Below are some examples of disease models offered at Ina Research.

UMAI-Luc Mouse (Stress Visualization Model)

This model carries the UMAI-Luc gene, in which luciferase acts as a reporter, enabling visualization of the translational induction of ATF4—a key regulator of stress-response gene expression. These mice serve as a valuable tool for time-course observation of stress responses.

ERAI-Luc Mouse (Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Visualization Model)

This model uses luciferase as a reporter and allows visualization of endoplasmic reticulum stress caused by the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins during protein synthesis. The ERAI gene enables luminescent detection of stressed cells.

Examples of Non-Clinical Studies Conducted by NDRcenter

Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) Model

To establish a mice model of multiple sclerosis, antigen emulsions were injected subcutaneously at two sites, followed by intraperitoneal administration of PTX solution. Another PTX dose was given 22–26 hours later. After the initial PTX administration, mice received either vehicle or the test substance orally once daily. As a result, co-administration with the adjuvant successfully induced the EAE model.

Brain Microdialysis in Rats and Mice

Research in the central nervous system requires sophisticated techniques and evaluation systems. Using brain microdialysis in freely moving rats and mice, NDRcenter collected extracellular molecules and measured neurotransmitter release in the brain. This technique has been applied to assess fluctuations in neurotransmitters following administration of antidepressants and anxiolytics, as well as to evaluate changes in target substances under specific experimental conditions.

Company Information

NDRcenter is a CRO that conducts a wide range of studies in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, chemicals, foods, and other fields.

Address 1-7-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel 0120-34-0412
Website http://www.ndrcenter.co.jp/
3 Recommended Contract Research Organizations for Non-Clinical Studies
— by Target goal and Expertise

In drug discovery, the quality and efficiency of non-clinical studies have a direct impact on clinical success rates, development costs, and overall length of time required in R&D. In recent years, there has been more demand for clinically relevant data, globally accepted reliability, and accurate early-stage screening. Thus, it is more important than ever to select the right CRO (Contract Research Organization) for strategic approach.
In this article, we highlight three CROs with proven technical capabilities, expertise, and long standing track records. These are our TOP 3 choices based on their capabilities and the specific target goals of the researchers for their non-clinical studies.

Pharmacology (Efficacy) Studies
Replicate unknown pathological models and
Discovery to clinically oriented drug evaluation
SMC Laboratories, Inc.
SMC Laboratories, Inc.
Reference: SMC Laboratories, Inc. official website (https://www.smccro-lab.com/jp/)
  • SMC Laboratories, Inc. has established a disease models using patented mouse technologies. The company has established proprietary pathological models—particularly in liver disease and fibrosis—and continues to expand their approach across a wide range of models in cancer, inflammation, and metabolic diseases.
  • From exploratory research to clinically oriented efficacy evaluation, SMC offers customized study designs, dosing strategies, and evaluation analysis tailored to each project. Their collaborative approachallows researchers to discuss and refine study plans together with SMC’s expert scientists.

  • With flexible small-scale study options and strong technical support, SMC Laboratories, Inc. is an ideal partner for start-ups, biotech ventures, and academic institutions alike.
Safety Studies
Comprehensive Safety Evaluation for FIH Applications
Labcorp Holdings Inc.
(Labcorp Drug Development)
Labcorp Holdings Inc.
Reference: Labcorp Holdings Inc. official website (https://jp.labcorp.com/)
  • Labcorp Holdings Inc. provides a fully integrated GLP testing system aligned with international regulatory standards, including FDA, EMA, and PMDA requirements. All studies are conducted under ICH-compliant quality assurance, making it ready for data submission.
  • The company has extensive expertise in long-term toxicity studies such as Segment I–III reproductive and carcinogenicity studies, as well as 2-year chronic toxicity assessments.
  • Labcorp Holdings Inc.’s comprehensive approach enables sponsors to efficiently outsource the entire preclinical package from toxicology, toxicokinetic (TK), and safety pharmacology study design to execution. This accelerates a path to First-in-Human (FIH) trials. For most of the global drug developers, this all-in-one service structure minimizes cost, risk, and expedite the time before advancing to clinical phase.
Pharmacokinetic (PK/PD) Studies
High-Precision Bioanalysis for Clinically Predictive PK/PD Evaluation
PhoenixBio Co., Ltd.
PhoenixBio Co., Ltd.
Source: PhoenixBio Co., Ltd. Official Website (https://phoenixbio.co.jp/)
  • PhoenixBio Co., Ltd.offers pharmacokinetic and hepatic metabolism studies using their proprietary PXB-mouse®, a humanized-liver chimeric mouse model. This platform enables the acquisition of data with high clinical correlation in ADME, drug–to-drug interaction studies, bridging the gap between preclinical and clinical stages.
  • With advanced LC-MS/MS-based bioanalysis, PhoenixBio Co., Ltd. provides aseamless workflow from plasma concentration measurement and metabolite identification to quantitative validation.

  • The company offersan integrated evaluation analysiscovering pharmacokinetics, hepatotoxicity, and safety with flexibility to accommodate complex modalities such as oligonucleotide and middle-molecule therapeutics. For compounds where hepatic metabolism is a development bottleneck—or where quantitative, reproducible exposure data are critical—PhoenixBio Co., Ltd. delivers unmatched analytical precision and consistency.

By region
list of animal models
Expertise & Track Record
3 Recommended Contract Non-Clinical Testing Services