CatSci Ltd are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Bioscience service, expanding the company’s integrated drug discovery offering with bioscience capabilities that add in vitro and cellular insight to complement our chemistry expertise.
Housed in a purpose-built laboratory at BioCity Nottingham, the platform combines high-end instrumentation with a multidisciplinary team of expert scientists to deliver rapid, decision-ready data for biotechs and pharma companies worldwide.
“Great compounds often fail to deliver early promise – not because the idea is wrong, but because the complex biology is not fully understood in time.
The right assays – and the right people – make all the difference.”
Kathy Dodgson, Technical Director of Bioscience.
What CatSci’s Bioscience Service Offers
| Discovery Stage | Bioscience Services |
|---|---|
| Target Discovery & Validation | Proof of Concept (PoC) and Mode of Action studies (MoA) to validate initial hypothesis and ensure a target is “druggable” through modulation |
| Hit Finding | Fragment & small molecule screening, orthogonal confirmation; identifying promising hit series for development into lead compounds |
| Hit-To-Lead | Structure-activity-relationship (SAR) elucidation, cytotoxicity & functional profiling |
| Lead Optimisation | Examinations of a smaller number of lead compounds across more complex assay systems to optimise properties: efficacy, selectivity, solubility, toxicity, etc. |
| Preclinical Support | Ex vivo sample analysis (e.g. animal tissue or human whole blood samples), multiparametric readouts in complex models, and testing for side effects (different cell lines or species). |
Bioscience Technology Highlights
- Multi-modal plate readers for fluorescence, luminescence, offering techniques such as FP and TR-FRET or combine with atmospheric control for kinetic readouts
- Live-cell kinetic imaging using the Incucyte SX5 (Sartorius) to capture real-time phenotypic changes
- Multiparametric flow cytometry with 96- and 384-well formats combined with acoustic focusing for rapid profiling
- RT-qPCR enabling large-scale gene-expression studies in hours
- Simple Western™ Technology (Bio-Techne) for quantitative capillary electrophoresis at increased throughput
- Liquid-handling robotics for maximised throughput and reproducibility
“This investment is about more than equipment; it’s about bringing together the right people, processes and platforms so our customers can answer critical biological questions early, de-risk their pipelines and attract the funding they deserve.” – Dr Ross Burn, CatSci CEO
About CatSci’s Bioscience Offering
The new Bioscience capability is designed for agility.
Projects can range from one-off bespoke assays to fully managed hit-to-lead programmes, all run under SOP-driven workflows with secure data governance and transparent audit trails.
By uniting biology and chemistry, CatSci helps innovators:
- Reduce iteration cycles and compress timelines
- Prioritise the most viable compounds with confidence
- Conserve budget by avoiding costly late-stage surprises
Ready to Transform your Early Discovery?
Contact the CatSci Bioscience team here or visit our page here to discuss a bespoke programme tailored to your needs.