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Preclinical Imaging









Powerful insights with Preclinical Imaging

Preclinical imaging provides visual evidence to support drug development, from whole-body pharmacokinetics to molecular-level target engagement.

By combining functional and structural imaging, this technology allows you to assess whether your therapeutic reaches the site of interest, engages the intended target, and produces the desired biological effect.

We offer advanced preclinical imaging services, enabling you to make earlier, more informed decisions.

Our infrastructure includes multimodal imaging platforms, dedicated radiochemistry capabilities, and a team of experts to ensure your study is tailored to both your compound and research question.



























Our approach to Preclinical Imaging

We provide a suite of in vivo imaging solutions designed to deliver high-fidelity data and actionable insights to support informed decision-making across therapeutic areas.

Our approach integrates advanced imaging biomarkers with disease-relevant tissue models to ensure each dataset is biologically meaningful and clinically informative.

From molecular imaging of disease pathways to whole-body biodistribution studies, our platform enables dynamic assessment of drug behaviour in real time.

Whether you are evaluating exposure, binding, or efficacy, we apply the right technology for each question, saving time, reducing risk, and improving confidence as you move through the drug discovery process.




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 in vivo preclinical imaging and data analysis solutions include:

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Used to visualise and quantify the biodistribution and target engagement of radiolabelled compounds in real time, supporting pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis.

Gamma counting biodistribution analysis
Provides quantitative measurement of radioactivity in excised tissues, offering high-sensitivity insight into compound uptake and tissue penetration at specific time points.

Computed Tomography (CT)
Delivers detailed anatomical reference images, enabling precise co-registration with functional imaging data for accurate spatial localisation of biological signals.

High-Frequency Ultrasound (HFUS)
Allows real-time imaging of soft tissues, tumours, and vasculature to monitor anatomical changes and physiological responses to treatment.

Bioluminescence and near-infrared imaging (IVIS)
Supports non-invasive longitudinal studies of gene expression, cell tracking, and tumour burden using light-based reporters in live tissue models.

Radiochemistry
Enables on-site radiolabelling of small molecules, peptides, and biologics with clinically relevant isotopes, supporting the development of imaging probes and radiopharmaceuticals.







Our technologies

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) – (Molecubes PET/CT scanner)
Gamma counting biodistribution analysis – (Revitty Wallac Wizard)
Computed Tomography (CT) – (Molecubes PET/CT scanner)
High-Frequency Ultrasound (HFUS) – (Fujifilm VEVO3100 imaging system)
Bioluminescence/NIR imaging (IVIS) – (Revitty IVIS Lumina)
Radiochemistry – (Beta and Gamma lab 89Zr, 18F, 111In, 23Pb, 177Lu) and (alpha lab 225Ac and 212Pb
Focused Ultrasound
Radiotherapy – (Multirad)







“Preclinical Imaging allows us to see what other methods can not. By performing real-time visualisation of drug distribution and biological response, we are bringing clarity to complex questions, and helping our partners to make faster, better-informed decisions.”

Dr Juliana Maynard, Head of In vivo biology

A photo of Dr Juliana Maynard, preclinical imaging expert at Medicines Discovery Catapult












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.














Collaborate with our experts to enhance your drug discovery project

We will help you to create a tailored preclinical imaging strategy to answer your most important questions.

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







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