We leverage gold-standard technologies to investigate target engagement; potency of lead compounds, and their mode of action; and to enable a smooth transition to the clinic. Patient tissues are handled in our biobanks.
NovAliX’s core indications include oncology, immuno-inflammation, infectious diseases, fibrosis, kidney diseases, osteoarthritis, metabolic disorders, and NASH.
Translational Science
Disease-related targets include numerous GPCRs, enzymes, and epigenetic regulators.
Our complex in vitro, ex vivo assays and in vivo mechanistic models using rodent or human primary cells/organs/explants, coupled to a large technical platform enable:
- The assessment of the mechanism of action based on key parameters such as cell function, differentiation, pathway signaling, target and biomarker expression regulation.
- The translation of the mechanism of action in preclinical models and human disease samples.
- The determination of effective dose of lead compounds.
| Translational activities | Samples | Assay technologies |
|---|---|---|
| Mode of action: targeted cell(s) and their function, pathway analysis, biomarkers, omics analysis Understanding of effective dose: target engagement, pharmacodynamics, PK/PD Translation to human: target/pathway profiling, biomarkers, pre-clinical disease model characterization; in both rodent and human samples/models | Cell lines Primary cells: mouse, rat, human Whole blood, plasma, serum (mouse, rat, human) Mouse tissue explant Mouse and human skin explants Mouse tissues Biobank: human samples | Protein analysis: Jess, ELISA, AlphaLISA, Luminex, MSD, Simoa Gene expression and Omics: Viia7+, Ncounter, ddPCR, GeoMx, Chromium for single cell Flow cytometry: FACSLyric, Fortessa X20, Aurora, MA900 sorter |
Histology
Histology plays a crucial role in deciphering spatial context related to disease pathology and target expression. IHC (immunohistochemistry), ISH (in situ hybridization), and special stains highlight specific proteins, mRNA, or structure at the tissue level.
The integration of AI-based technologies enhances quantitative analysis (Visiopharm®), reinforces statistics, and contributes significantly to drug discovery.
Our fully automated process from tissue preparation to analysis combined with our proprietary tissue FFPE block BIOBANK in different therapeutic areas is a key added value to improve workflow efficiency and the understanding of the target of interest.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Immunohistochemistry IHC | In situ hybridization ISH | Special stain |
| – Chromogenic or fluorescent IF – Single or combined or multiplex IHC – Combined with ISH – Al-assisted mapping and quantification | – RNAscope technology – Chromogenic or fluorescence – Single or combined ISH – Combined with IHC – Al-assisted mapping and quantification | – Client custom-made stain – Histopathology hallmarks stainina – Many. proposed stains as – Hematoxylin-eosin HE – Picrosirius red PSR – Periodic acid-Schiff – Masson trichroma |
Relying on these techniques, we can deliver:
- Target of interest: quantification, localization; cell expression at mRNA and protein levels; target engagement
- Structural and cellular modifications induced by tested compound
- Pathway and phenotypic analysis
- Cell quantification
- Define the relevant animal model for your target with our proprietary FFPE biobank samples
Biobank
NovAliX can sponsor retrospective and prospective collections for client’s projects (human explants such as skin, blood, urine, etc). We are able to:
- Source high value Human BioSpecimens (HBS) and associated data
- Create collections of HBS by setting up researches involving human person (RIPH2, RIPH3)
- Provide our research services on HBS (ex. histology/translational science)
- Store Biospecimens in appropriate conditions (e.g. ambient temperature, -80°C and -196°C)
- Track the end-to-end Biospecimen’s life cycle management complying with regulatory requirements
Biosourcing, the scope of responsibilities:
Human skin specification:
- Human skin from surgical abdominoplasty or mammoplasty
- Fresh skin: same day and overnight from surgery room to lab test
Human blood specification:
- Human fresh blood from donors (<4 hours from vein to bench)
- Inclusion / exclusion criteria; healthy donors, virology, others
