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Spatial Biology









Precision profiling for impactful Spatial Biology

Spatial Biology is transforming how we understand disease and therapeutic response, by simultaneously revealing what is happening and where.

Our spatial platforms provide high-plex, quantitative data within intact tissue environments, helping researchers uncover cell-specific signals, pathway activity, and molecular patterns that bulk analysis often misses.

Whether you are validating a target, mapping disease mechanisms, or identifying the right patients for a therapy, our spatial capabilities are built to answer critical translational questions with clarity and confidence.



























Our approach to Spatial Biology

We provide a suite of spatial biology solutions designed to deliver high-resolution, biologically contextualised data to support informed decision-making across therapeutic areas.

Our approach integrates advanced Spatial profiling technologies with disease-relevant tissue models to ensure each dataset reflects real tissue architecture and clinical relevance.

From profiling target expression in complex tissues to uncovering cell–cell interactions and microenvironmental dynamics, our capabilities enable you to validate therapeutic hypotheses and guide biomarker strategies with confidence.

Whether you are working in oncology, immunology or infectious disease, we help to generate the spatially resolved data needed to accelerate your path to the clinic, reduce risk and enhance your confidence in your drug discovery pipeline.




Specialist areas

Our team of scientists and technical staff are eager to partner with you on your drug development goals to make faster decisions. Our comprehensive spatial biology solutions include:

Spatial analysis
We can quantify and analyse characteristics within whole tissue sections and tissue microarrays to characterise cellular activity within a tissue microenvironment.

Digital Spatial Profiling: Whole transcriptome and high-plex spatial proteomics
We use the NanoString GeoMX Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP) to generate rich spatial data from Formalin-Fixed-Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) and fresh frozen tissue samples.

Spatially resolved multi-omics analysis by Mass Spectrometry
We can provide spatial multi-omics data with a comprehensive view of the multi-molecular environment of a complex biological system. Giving you insight into drug distribution, cell-type specific metabolism, off-target effects, and biomarker discovery for disease or response to a specific therapeutic.

Disease mechanism and target discovery
We can help researchers pinpoint novel biomarkers and signalling pathways within specific tissue regions. By comparing molecular profiles across distinct areas, we help uncover how disease manifests at the cellular level and how different cell populations contribute to progression.

Therapeutic impact and resistance
Our platform enables the assessment of downstream effects after drug-target engagement, providing insight into therapeutic efficacy and revealing mechanisms of resistance.

Patient stratification and Biomarker discovery
Spatial profiling links molecular signals to histological context, supporting the identification of relevant patient subgroups. These insights can guide indication selection, support companion diagnostic development and inform combination therapy strategies.







Our technologies

NanoString GeoMX Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP).
Curio Seeker – high-resolution, whole-transcriptome spatial mapping kit.
AtlasXomics FlowGel.
DESI with Synapt G2-Si.
AP-MALDI with the Exploris 240.




We are a Nanostring certified service provider

Our laboratory uses a state-of-the-art NanoString GeoMX Digital Spatial Profiler platform for spatial tissue analysis.​














“Our platform offers flexibility, resolution, and real-world relevance. Whether you are working with RNA or protein, FFPE or frozen tissue, we can generate high-content spatial data tailored to your research goals.”

Dr Michael Eyres, Lead Scientist













See how we have helped innovators


CPSA is an ingenious extension of the target engagement toolbox. It is easier to upscale and control in high throughput screening applications than currently available methods. With exemplary support from MDC we have smoothly incorporated it into our Drug Discovery pipeline.

Selvita

MDC’s R&D consulting has been transformative, refining our HT8457S strategy with scientific rigour, identifying and mitigating risks, and strengthening our business model, significantly enhancing Haiku’s credibility.

Haiku Therapeutics

The partnership with MDC has allowed us to secure multiple Innovate UK grants and utilise capabilities such as state-of-the-art PET, which aren’t available elsewhere.

Alchemab Therapeutics

For the first time, we have been able to generate a map of lung fibrosis in 3D at the tissue scale. Collaborating with MDC has been key to its success. Their expertise has supported the successful integration of state-of-the-art technologies, establishing a valuable new resource for the lung fibrosis community.

University of Southampton

Working with MDC allowed us to visualise drug distribution in the brain with a level of clarity we hadn’t achieved before. Their expertise in DESI-MS and willingness to design a project that met our demands provided powerful insights into diffusion patterns, giving us confidence in our compound’s delivery.

TargTex

We worked with the Mass Spectrometry team at MDC to help set up and run a complex biochemical assay. The project was technically demanding, but the deep expertise, knowledge and collaborative approach allowed the team to troubleshoot the many challenges and successfully deliver a viable approach.

Oppilotech

The team at MDC shares our passion for bringing forward innovative medicines, pioneering new technologies, and operating with data-driven flexibility. They have been integral to our project success and possess unique capabilities to support later-stage candidate selection. A truly valued collaborator and dependable partner.

Artbio

Elasmogen was impressed by the quality and rapid delivery timelines for our radiopharmaceutical dosimetry data. There was good interactivity in this project, and we are happy to recommend this service.

Elasmogen

Our collaboration with Medicines Discovery Catapult will not only enable us to engage with the wider scientific community but will also allow us to unlock the potential of Acoustic Mass Spectrometry within drug discovery.

Innovative Medicines and Early Development (IMED) Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca

It’s been absolutely amazing working with MDC and the team.

LUNAC Therapeutics

MDC supported us in developing a therapeutic for Huntington’s Disease through antibody characterisation, iPSC model development, biodistribution studies, imaging and neurodegenerative expertise.

Alchemab Therapeutics

We worked together with MDC on a very challenging and demanding project. The MDC team’s expertise in MSI, commitment and flexibility were key to a successful collaboration and reaching our objectives.

TargTex

MDC are as involved in our project as the founding team, going above and beyond what I expected. I recommend them to new ventures starting out; even if you don’t know exactly what you need, the team can work with you to achieve some phenomenal results.

KLAS Therapeutics

Working with MDC has provided expertise and intellectual input. It has also enabled access to a wider network of companies providing specialist services.

N4 Pharma

By tapping into MDC’s unique drug development expertise and facilities, we are confident we will accelerate the preclinical development of our drug delivery system and its commercialisation.

Sixfold Bioscience

It has been a pleasure working with MDC as their scientists are pleasant and have a broad range of talents.
Importantly for projects like ours, they openly and professionally exchange ideas with SMi’s scientific team and keep us abreast of their research developments.

SMi Systems

It has been great to access the Artificial Intelligence expertise at Medicines Discovery Catapult.
The team has taken an innovative approach that adds value to our product and will benefit our customers.

BioAscent

As an SME, working with MDC allows us access to scientific know-how and in vivo imaging techniques that would be impossible through any other route. The closeness, timeliness and flexibility of the collaboration significantly accelerated our ability to develop the product.

Xerion Healthcare

We have collaborated with MDC for three years, and it continues to provide valuable and high-quality data on our molecules. MDC’s input has directly impacted operational and strategic decisions for our projects and allowed us to move forward with our clinical studies.

Revolo Biotherapeutics

For early-stage SMEs in this space, I thoroughly recommend engaging with MDC, who have the end-to-end knowledge in complex medicines, can support your in-house team and provide access to key equipment that start-ups may not have.

pHion Therapeutics





We are ISO 45001 certified 

The world’s first international standard for occupational health and safety. The accreditation has been certified by Interface NRM, a UKAS and ASI–accredited certification body.














Interested in using our Spatial Biology services?

Whether you are just starting to explore spatial technologies or looking to validate biomarkers for clinical development, our team can help guide you every step of the way.

Fill in the form today and speak to us to see how we can help advance your drug discovery project.







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