Preclinical Drug Development and Testing
MLM Medical Labs’ preclinical contract research services are well established in the field of in vitro assays, ranging from cell-based mechanism of action studies (MoA), and compound screening to well-characterized in vivo models for pharmacology and efficacy assessments, which are supplemented by ex vivo services.
Our laboratories offer a range of established models (60+ models in our ever-growing portfolio), including those for many inflammatory diseases relating to dermal, oncologic, respiratory, metabolic and other conditions.
Integrating our preclinical models and in-house biomarker development and validation services allows us to combine models with necessary readouts to produce the highest degree of value and clinical relevance for your research in one lab, without the need to coordinate across multiple vendors.

Preclinical Services
MLM Medical Labs’ comprehensive suite of Preclinical Research Services is meticulously tailored to meet your specific research needs. These services span cell culture modeling, in vivo disease modeling, PK/PD assessments, safety evaluations and dose studies.
Beginning with the earliest stages of research, cell culture services offer a versatile and controlled environment to explore drug responses and mechanisms of action in vitro. Our experienced team customizes cell culture protocols to mimic physiological conditions, ensuring the relevance and reliability of your experimental outcomes.
Adding to the breadth of MLM Medical Labs’ research capabilities, our preclinical in vivo disease model portfolio includes models in multiple disease areas within the immunology space. To complement in vivo models, a complete suite of biomarker service capabilities spans across various platforms, including ELISA, Multiplex, Flow Cytometry and qPCR. Additionally, our fully equipped histology suite accommodates general staining and specialty ISH, IHC and IF staining.
By offering ex vivo services on-site, MLM Medical Labs alleviates the need for multiple vendors, ensuring sample integrity remains intact and providing added convenience. Partner with us to navigate the intricacies of preclinical development and confidently propel your drug development initiatives forward.
MLM Medical Labs offers a sophisticated cell culture modeling approach, employing mathematical and computational techniques to simulate cellular behavior in vitro. Our experts facilitate a deeper understanding of complex cellular dynamics and assays through cell culture modeling.
Specifically, we use ImmuneProfiler to evaluate the immunogenicity or immunosuppression properties of compounds. This suite of assays can be customized to match a compound’s specific properties and immune response. Customers can select pathways of interest, choose between stimulation or inhibition assays and evaluate them in cell-based systems.
MLM Medical Labs offers a wide range of in vivo GLP and non-GLP study services. We work to analyze your drug development or therapy requirements using a portfolio of over 60 customizable in vivo models to address various diseases. Our expert scientists are your partners throughout your project, from study conception to completion.
We have extensive experience in the following areas:
- Fibrosis models, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and systemic sclerosis
- Arthritis models, including adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis (AIA), collagen antibody-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CAIA) and collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA)
- Respiratory models, including LPS-induced lung inflammation, acute lung injury (ALI), Ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma, house dust mite-induced asthma and bleomycin-induced fibrosis (IPF)
- Dermal models, including imiquimod-induced psoriasis, IL-23-induced psoriasis, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) contact dermatitis, oxazolone-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis
- Metabolic models, including diet-induced obesity (DIO) and inflammatory disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) models, including trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)
- Sepsis models, including bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokine analysis
Why Choose MLM Medical Labs for Preclinical Research Services?
The experts at MLM Medical Labs are agile and flexible to adapt to your current protocol. We are your partners throughout the project, providing a PhD-led team with in-depth knowledge and problem-solving skills that accelerate the preclinical research process. Additionally, our end-to-end laboratory support is comprehensive for preclinical proof-of-concept studies.
We emphasize high standards to support our accreditations, compliance and quality-driven results. MLM Medical Labs also prioritizes our commitment to animal welfare, ensuring studies are ethical in all protocols.
Accredited, Compliant and Quality-Driven
At MLM Medical Labs, we believe that quality and attention to detail are critical aspects of scientific research. Sponsors have come to rely on us to work with their preclinical studies, both in the design and implementation of the studies and the quality and consistency in the execution and data delivery.
Our dedication to quality is evident through our adherence to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards. This encompasses meticulous implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), precise sample handling and inventory management, vigilant monitoring of laboratories and equipment, thorough maintenance/calibration procedures and comprehensive record storage and backup. Our commitment extends to a robust Quality Assurance department/program.
Animal Welfare Commitment
At MLM Medical Labs, we prioritize the well-being of our animal counterparts, exemplified by our AAALAC accreditation in St. Paul. Our Institutional Animal Care and Use Ethical Committee (IACUC) meticulously reviews and approves all protocols, ensuring ethical practices in research. For sponsors engaged in NIH-funded projects, our readily prepared Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) Assurances are tailored to meet the highest standards. If you are involved in an NIH-funded project, contact us, and we’ll promptly submit the Assurance on your behalf. MLM Medical Labs stands at the forefront of scientific excellence and unwavering commitment to animal welfare.
Preclinical Services FAQ
We have compiled some of the most common questions related to our preclinical development services. If your question is not addressed in the list below, reach out to our team for more information.
MLM Medical Labs has extensive offerings for efficacy studies in disease models in the inflammatory/immunology space. Additionally, M MLM Medical Labs can assist with dose range finding, toxicology and PK/PD studies.
We understand that each therapeutic treatment is unique which is why we customize our approach for every study. In addition to our standard disease models, we can develop new preclinical models tailored to meet our clients’ specific research needs.
We provide comprehensive support for preclinical drug development, offering scientific and strategic guidance. This includes services such as cytokine assessment, pathology, detailed reporting and secure archiving of preclinical research samples. Moreover, our in-house capability allows us to perform the majority of ex vivo assessments on-site, minimizing the need for multiple vendors and ensuring high sample quality, which is imperative for accurate data readouts.
MLM Medical Labs has bioanalysis experience catering to various types of compounds and drugs, including small and large molecules, biologics, cell-based therapies, natural-based compounds and combination products. NCEs, Biologics-Experience in handling small molecules, biologics, cell-based therapies,
natural-based compounds, genomic test items (siRNA, RNAi, mRNA, DNA-based) and combination
products.
MLM Medical Labs‘ preclinical department stands out due to its unwavering commitment to a tailored approach with quality excellence. Each study, regardless of GLP status, upholds the highest quality standards. With an impressive study initiation time post-SOW signature, MLM Medical Labs outpaces industry norms, delivering faster results. This tailored and agile approach of MLM Medical Labs is underscored by an experienced preclinical team, proficiency in developing new models, and tailored solutions to meet diverse research needs.
Upon submitting your preclinical inquiry, you‘ll be paired with a dedicated business development team member for customized support. Our early involvement of scientists ensures your research objectives are thoroughly understood. After signing the Statement of Work, your business development representative will transition to background support, while your study director manages protocol review and submission to IACUC. The business development representative and the study director maintain close contact to ensure a seamless process, providing the attention and expertise your research deserves.
Yes!
MLM Medical Labs designs preclinical studies, keeping in mind the clinical implications, such as pathogenesis and emerging therapies. Our expertise extends to assisting our partners with selecting optimal models and conducting ex vivo analyses, ensuring an appropriate transition from preclinical research to clinical applications.
We have central and specialty lab facilities with extensive service offerings in Europe and the U.S. to support your drug development from preclinical through Phase III.
Request a Proposal for Preclinical Efficacy Studies Today
MLM Medical Labs approaches every project uniquely, offering scientific excellence, customized agile solutions and personal accountability. We support informed clinical decision-making by delivering high integrity preclinical data through scientifically rigorous studies. Request a proposal with MLM Medical Labs today to learn more.
