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Translational Medicine









Accelerate your research with our Translational Medicine expertise

Biomarkers are essential for translating scientific breakthroughs into real-world treatments.

Whether identifying novel biomarkers to track your new lead molecule, or testing known biomarkers to support the translation of your potential therapeutic, our expert team provides the insights you need to make every move count.

Biomarkers are the key to unlocking critical insights into:

  • What successful therapeutics need to translate from preclinical into clinical settings.
  • Determining the optimal dosage and treatment schedule.
  • Understanding molecular changes due to modulation of the target.
  • Providing data insights to inform biomarker-based patient selection.
  • Better understanding of patient heterogeneity.
  • Identifying beneficial combination treatment options.

Multiple well-plate in a lab

























Key areas we support in Translational Medicine

We help drug discovery companies integrate biomarkers into their programmes from pre-clinical through to the clinic to accelerate both their decision-making and improve clinical success. Our team provides:

  • Disease and Patient Stratification
    Identify molecular subtypes and responder populations using relevant patient and preclinical samples to guide targeted therapies and trial design.
  • Mechanism of Action and Target Engagement
    Use multi-omic models and custom assays to reveal how compounds work and confirm they hit the intended target.
  • Biomarker Discovery and Validation
    Identify and validate novel biomarkers for drug response, disease progression, and clinical utility.
  • Pharmacodynamic and Longitudinal Monitoring
    Measure biological responses to drug treatment using optimised custom or novel assays, using non-invasive methods.
  • Multi-omic and Spatial Analysis
    Integrate multi-omic data with high-resolution tissue imaging for a systems-level understanding of drug effects.
  • Liquid Biopsy and Custom Platforms
    Leverage plasma, serum, or CSF to uncover biomarkers with real-time, translational potential, supported by bespoke assay development.
  • Bioinformatics and Data Interpretation
    Translate complex biomarker data into actionable insights to support go/no-go decisions and future trial strategies.



“Our team generates deep insights into disease biology and drug mechanisms, helping bridge the gap between preclinical findings and clinical utility. Using advanced multi-omic technologies, high-resolution tissue profiling, and liquid biopsy approaches, we support translational research that informs decision-making and drives therapeutic innovation.”

Gayle Marshall, Head of Translational Medicine













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





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Why work with us to evolve your biomarker strategy?

Our biomarker platform enables you to access complex specialist analytical methods for measuring large numbers of analytes from the same high-value samples.

By integrating data across multiple technologies, we support biomarker identification and validation, and progression through the drug discovery pipeline.

We tailor solutions backed by highly multiplexed measurement technologies. With deep industry experience, we provide actionable insights that help advance therapeutic development.

Whatever your challenge, we will work to develop a bespoke solution that supports your goals.







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