It’s important to lay strong foundations for successful drug discovery at this first stage of the process. Our integrated target identification and validation platform combines AI with expert insights, and rigorous lab validation to guide targets through robust evaluation, ready for hit discovery.
Validated, high-quality hits, delivered through integrated technologies and expert collaboration, give you a confident starting point for faster drug discovery.
Turning promising leads into clinical candidates with speed, precision, and the scientific expertise to generate high-quality data and deliver real patient impact.
Delivering integrated, modality-agnostic drug discovery to tackle complex biology, accelerate development, and advance innovative therapies with confidence.
Advancing next-generation ADCs through payload-focused design, integrated expertise, and collaborative innovation to deliver safer, more selective therapies.
Driving biologics innovation through integrated design, structural biology, and multidisciplinary expertise to accelerate next-generation therapies from concept to clinic.
Combining deep therapeutic expertise with translational insight to design strategies, reduce risk, and accelerate discovery programs toward clinical success.
Accelerating oncology drug discovery through integrated expertise, innovative modalities, and translational insight to deliver candidates with real clinical impact.
Driving immunology and inflammation drug discovery through tailored assays, translational models, and integrated expertise for faster clinical success.
Advancing CNS drug discovery through integrated models, translational biomarkers, and multidisciplinary expertise to overcome complexity and accelerate therapeutic innovation.
Designing and advancing differentiated small-molecule therapies for obesity and diabetes through integrated expertise, mechanistic insight, and translational strategies.
Inobrodib, an exciting, first-in-class oral anti-cancer drug in clinical development by CellCentric, was collaboratively designed, synthesised and supported on its pre-clinical journey by an integrated project team at Sygnature Discovery. Inobrodib is now showing promising results in Phase I and II trials for multiple myeloma and other cancer types.
It’s important to lay strong foundations for successful drug discovery at this first stage of the process. Our integrated target identification and validation platform combines AI with expert insights, and rigorous lab validation to guide targets through robust evaluation, ready for hit discovery.
Validated, high-quality hits, delivered through integrated technologies and expert collaboration, give you a confident starting point for faster drug discovery.
Turning promising leads into clinical candidates with speed, precision, and the scientific expertise to generate high-quality data and deliver real patient impact.
Delivering integrated, modality-agnostic drug discovery to tackle complex biology, accelerate development, and advance innovative therapies with confidence.
Advancing next-generation ADCs through payload-focused design, integrated expertise, and collaborative innovation to deliver safer, more selective therapies.
Driving biologics innovation through integrated design, structural biology, and multidisciplinary expertise to accelerate next-generation therapies from concept to clinic.
Combining deep therapeutic expertise with translational insight to design strategies, reduce risk, and accelerate discovery programs toward clinical success.
Accelerating oncology drug discovery through integrated expertise, innovative modalities, and translational insight to deliver candidates with real clinical impact.
Driving immunology and inflammation drug discovery through tailored assays, translational models, and integrated expertise for faster clinical success.
Advancing CNS drug discovery through integrated models, translational biomarkers, and multidisciplinary expertise to overcome complexity and accelerate therapeutic innovation.
Designing and advancing differentiated small-molecule therapies for obesity and diabetes through integrated expertise, mechanistic insight, and translational strategies.
Inobrodib, an exciting, first-in-class oral anti-cancer drug in clinical development by CellCentric, was collaboratively designed, synthesised and supported on its pre-clinical journey by an integrated project team at Sygnature Discovery. Inobrodib is now showing promising results in Phase I and II trials for multiple myeloma and other cancer types.
Translational models and integrated technologies reveal how compounds impact relevant pathways helping you make confident, timely decisions in CNS and pain drug discovery.
Sygnature Discovery provides a range of solutions for CNS drug discovery programs, supported by deep expertise in psychiatric and neurological disorders, addiction and pain.
We offer a comprehensive portfolio of in vivo and ex vivo models and assays, combining human-relevant rodent models with sensitive endpoints and advanced technologies. From small molecules to biologics, we assess how drug candidates influence behavior and biomarkers with precision and clarity.
Recognizing that adequate target tissue exposure remains a major challenge in CNS drug discovery, our cross-disciplinary services are designed to evaluate and optimize exposure, target engagement, and efficacy.
in vivo CNS Model Expertise
Our CNS portfolio supports discovery across psychiatric, neurological and behavioral disorders. Using translational rodent models and sensitive endpoints, we help you evaluate efficacy, mechanism of action and safety with confidence.
Schizophrenia and Psychosis
We use pharmacologically induced rodent models to study therapeutics targeting psychotic disorders. These models typically involve NMDA receptor antagonists or dopamine agonists to replicate core behavioral and cognitive symptoms.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Our validated rat model uses chocolate as a hedonistic food to simulate BED, characterized by increased impulsivity and compulsivity. The model is benchmarked with Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine, LDX).
Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)
We assess novel treatments using rodent models that mimic human drug-seeking and drug-taking behaviors. Techniques include drug self-administration and behavioral observation.
To investigate the pharmacology and target engagement of novel compounds with psychedelic-like properties, we offer ex vivo and in vitro 5-HT2A receptor occupancy studies alongside the in vivo head twitch assay.
Intracerebral Microdialysis
We measure unbound drug concentrations in the brain in real time, providing critical data on blood-brain barrier penetration and target-site pharmacokinetics. This technique can be combined with behavioral analysis via video and includes downstream analysis of neurotransmitters, metabolites, and compound levels.
For broad characterization of CNS-active compounds, we provide a range of in vivo assays including open field, Irwin test, pupillometry, grip strength, and rotarod. These models support early safety profiling and functional assessment across diverse mechanisms.
in vivo Pain Model Expertise
Our pain portfolio spans acute, inflammatory and chronic pain states . We tailor models to your therapeutic modality and endpoint needs, supporting both analgesic discovery and mechanistic studies.
Tail-immersion Model
This thermally evoked acute nociceptive pain model uses a temperature-controlled water bath to simulate the tail in mice. It is ideal for exploring how novel agents affect pain transmission from the periphery to central pain centres.
Carrageenan Model
We inject lambda-carrageenan into the glabrous paw skin of mice to induce acute inflammation. Swelling is measured with a plethtsmometer, while hyperalgesia is assessed using Hargreaves or von Frey tests.
Formalin Model
A subcutaneous injection of diluted formalin into the paw caused prolonged spontaneous pain reactions. The model includes an early acute phase, a quiescent interphase, and a late phase linked to the central sensitization. We offer this model in rats and mice, with pain behaviors captured via custom video recording.
MIA Model
Mono-iodoacetate (MIA) is a glycolytic inhibitor that, when injected into the pain joint, induces cartilage damage and joint pain resembling human osteoarthritis. We offer the rat MIA model of OA joint pain, using Bioseb automated dynamic weight bearing system to measure limb loading deficits in freely moving rats. The model includes an early phase (5-7 days) responsive to NSAIDs, and a later phase (from two weeks post-injection) that is NSAID-insensitive and believed to involve neuropathic components.
ex vivo and Translational Capabilities
Our ex vivo platforms extend behavioral and physiological insights, offering deeper mechanistic understanding.
ex vivo Binding Studies
These studies assess target engagement and receptor occupancy in relevant tissues after in vivo dosing. They support compound optimization through integrated PK/PD analysis.
What We Offer
• Central administration of test drugs (e.g., ICV)
• in vivo models of CNS function
• Target engagement using in vitro and ex vivo CNS receptor occupancy
• Initial behavioral safety assessment such as Irwin rest and Rotarod
• Side effect profiling including catalepsy, pupillometry, prolactin release, weight gain and more
• Brain and CSF drug exposure
Key Benefits
Sygnature Discovery’s CNS research is built on a broad portfolio of validated behavioral and disease models, deep neuropharmacology expertise, and integrated in vivo–in vitro capabilities. Our advanced biomarker and imaging platforms, combined with a collaborative, translational approach, help you discover and optimize novel therapeutics for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Integrated Expertise
Proven experience across CNS and pain indications, with validated behavioral, disease, and ex vivo models.
Translational Depth
Connect molecular targets to behavioral outcomes through PK/PD, biomarker and imaging integration.
Collaborative Approach
Work directly with our neuropharmacologists to design studies that answer your specific translational questions.
Focusing on the craving phase of addiction, this article examines how behavioral pharmacology models capture cue‑driven drug seeking and relapse vulnerability.
Focusing on the withdrawal phase of addiction, this article examines how behavioral pharmacology models assess drug dependence and therapeutic intervention in preclinical studies.
Focusing on the intoxication phase of addiction, this article examines how behavioral pharmacology models capture reward, reinforcement and binge‑like drug use in preclinical studies.
Drug addiction remains one of the most persistent and complex public health challenges worldwide. Despite advances in prevention and treatment, drug‑related harm and mortality continue to rise, underscoring the need for deeper biological understanding and more predictive models to support the development of new therapies.
The MIA joint pain model, as orchestrated at Sygnature Discovery, serves as a robust and…
Case Studies
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Yes, our scientists have experience with multiple lines of transgenic animals, such as models of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. We also offer colony management services in partnership with our providers even if cryopreserved lines are the only available option.
Yes, we hold a license to work with and have a strong track-record in assisting our clients in programs involving all types of controlled substances.
Our experienced group of statisticians are constantly updating our historical data aiming at calculating the power analysis necessary for each study design. With that ensuring an appropriately powered study to fit the clients’ needs.
Yes, if your project requires ex-vivo support such as PK bioanalysis or biomarkers quantification, we will assist you in designing the study to accommodate the ex-vivo requirements.
We include in our offerings the development of bespoke assays. Considering our extensive scientific experience, we can implement such assays in association with the client. If your assay is not listed, send us a message and we will evaluate the necessary steps to implement your assay of choice.
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Peak Proteins, NuChem Sciences, and SB Drug Discovery have now fully integrated with Sygnature Discovery.
