Explore our drug discovery





New Modalities









Enabling the next generation of therapeutics with New Modalities

From RNA therapeutics to antibody-drug conjugates, the field of advanced complex medicines is transforming how we treat disease.

These modalities combine active pharmaceutical ingredients with cutting-edge delivery systems to enhance the safety, efficacy and precision of therapeutics.

We have built a flexible, high-resolution platform to support the development, characterisation and translation of complex medicines.


A scientist with gloves using a Nanostring nCounter prep station.

























What we do in New Modalities

Our platform integrates in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo technologies to guide decision-making and support regulatory preparedness. Using super-resolution microscopy, we can visualise drug-carrier complexes and track their intracellular localisation with precision.

These insights are supported by advanced cell models that evaluate uptake, trafficking, payload release and downstream biological response, providing a detailed understanding of therapeutic behaviour at the cellular level.

To complement in vitro findings, we offer in vivo imaging using PET and optical techniques to monitor biodistribution in real time. Ex vivo tissue analysis, using techniques such as immunofluorescence and label-free Mass Spectrometry imaging, helps map tissue penetration, cell targeting, and molecular activity.

Our molecular pathology expertise allows us to investigate tissue-level drug delivery and biological responses in detail. We also provide support in developing Target Product Profiles (TPPs), offering strategic guidance informed by regulatory, safety and clinical considerations.




How we can support your drug discovery project with New Modalities

Strategic development planning
Build tailored project plans and Target Product Profiles (TPPs) that align with your clinical, regulatory and commercial goals.

Physicochemical and biological characterisation
Evaluate complex medicines for encapsulation, structure, stability, intracellular uptake and trafficking.

Bespoke assay development
Design and deploy bespoke assays using advanced microscopy to assess payload release, target engagement and functional validation in target cell types.

In vivo and ex vivo profiling
Biodistribution studies using advanced preclinical imaging techniques and high-resolution ex vivo tissue analysis to establish cell tropism and efficacy of complex medicines in target tissue.










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








“To bring novel complex medicines to market, we need new analytical methods to characterise, optimise and develop them. We have built an advanced analytical platform that supports biodistribution, cell targeting and biological response across a wide range of complex modalities.”

Sarah Brockbank, Strategy Leader







Need support in characterising your complex modality?

Our multi-disciplinary team is ready to help you to build the data, to understand your drug’s properties and improve its performance as a therapeutic.

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