EpiStem - Preclinical Development of Novel Therapies to Treat Epithelial Disease

EpiStem is a preclinical contract research company, offering a wide range of specialised in vitro and in vivo assays. Our aim is to assist companies with the preclinical development of novel therapies to treat epithelial proliferative disease, including epithelial cancers, mucositis, alopecia, UV-induced skin damage, wound healing and mRNA expression profiling.

Using the extensive background knowledge of our scientists, we develop an interactive relationship with our clients, offering high quality, bespoke services and consultation to suit their individual needs.

EPITHELIAL STEM CELLS

Working with most epithelial tissues, we will devise protocols to resolve specific questions regarding the efficacy, safety and mechanism of action of a novel therapy. This also allows us to determine whether your agent can alter stem or daughter cell behaviour.

DRUG EFFICACY TESTING SERVICES - TISSUE RESPONSES, CELL CYCLE AND APOPTOSIS REGULATION

EpiStem has an exceptional range of drug efficacy testing services, incorporating the latest understanding of tissue responses, cell cycle and apoptosis regulation and also adult stem cell behaviour. With a strong scientific focus, we will design the most appropriate protocol for your preclinical requirements, optimised to provide sensitive proof-of-principal data. Our scientists will apply their expertise to assist with data interpretation and planning of preclinical programmes. Realise the potential of your preclinical pipeline with our state-of-the-art scientific services.

ASSAYS AND PRECLINICAL RESEARCH SERVICES

EpiStem offers a unique scientific service, with the following features:

• Specialists in efficacy assessment
• Internationally acclaimed scientific team with a proven scientific track record, and over 300 publications
• Full responsibility for protocol design, execution and interpretation and presentation of results
• First class range of in vivo and in vitro assays
• Bespoke assay service, designing and optimising assays to meet your requirements

Service range includes:

• Antitumour efficacy, using xenograft and mutant models
• Assessment of collateral damage and determination of therapeutic index 
• Mucositis, alopecia and diarrhoea assays
• Xenograft bioavailability studies
• A wide range of assays to assess clonogenic and cell-cycle responses
• Histology and immunohistochemistry
• Fully differentiated human skin equivalent model
• Methods for subjective IBD analysis
• Novel intestinal assay – assess drug effects on growing primary epithelial cell cultures
• Highly sensitive mRNA profiling of ng samples of total RNA