Porsolt
Breaking the Shackles of Conventional Preclinical Drug Discovery

Compliant, safe, and data-driven preclinical studies are the cornerstones of the drug development industry. Although large pharmaceutical companies predominantly conduct studies in-house, not all companies prefer to do so, due to constraints such as lack of funds, time, expertise and researchers. Additionally, pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in manufacturing drugs and continuously aim to push the drug development envelope through state-of-the-art research methodologies and trials. To this end, the use of preclinical Contract Research Organizations (CROs) has been a helping hand for these pharmaceutical and biotech companies that are looking to substantiate their drug’s effectiveness through structured, affordable, and well-planned studies. For such high stakes, it is imperative for these companies to identify a CRO with the expertise and flexibility to cater to the broad range of requests. Stepping up to the challenge is Porsolt, a company that develops specific models and conducts tailored as well as compliant studies based on clients’ varied pharmaceutical requirements, helping them to successfully move their drugs to market.

With a vast amount of experience that spans more than three decades, Porsolt conducts trials and studies pertaining to central nervous system (CNS) disorders, cardiovascular issues, pain, inflammation, gastrointestinal, obesity, oncology, predictive toxicology, and many more. “The adaptability of Porsolt’s studies is reflected through the availability of varied in-vivo models and in-vitro testing expertise used in research, along with numerous capabilities to supplement its services,” affirms Guillaume Froget, President and CEO of the company. Furthermore, to ensure that the drugs are safe for humans, Porsolt performs its studies on a wide range of living species, from mice and rats,through larger species. Porsolt’s Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) compliance and animal care accreditation (AAALAC) also ensure that any study and testing handled by the company will always follow the norms provided by regulatory bodies, to ensure quality and lessen the risk of being rejected by such bodies.

What sets Porsolt apart from the rest of its contemporaries is the direct and transparent approach the company undertakes while engaging with clients and conducting relevant studies. A continuous dialogue between the companies focuses on the direct interaction with its scientists, so the client has complete vision and awareness.

The adaptability of Porsolt’s studies is reflected through the availability of in-vivo models and in-vitro testing expertise used in research, along with numerous capabilities to supplement its services.

Once the studies begin, Porsolt frequently relays key information from the onset such that clients are informed throughout the trials’ progress.

What supports Porsolt’s claim of providing unique and compliant research studies is its collaboration with clients to address their specific questions, while being mindful of the regulatory quidelines. One such example involved adapting its well established and GLP compliant drug abuse capabilities to test a novel client compound. Often regulatory authorities, such as the FDA or EMA, require a similar known substance to be tested as a control alongside the test compound. Given the unique properties of the client compound, Porsolt was able to adapt the study protocol to successfully test the drug while still addressing the guidelines from the regulatory authorities. This innovative approach, utilizing Porsolt’s varied capabilities and years of experience, resulted in huge time and expenditure savings for the client.

Porsolt’s competence in developing bespoke models and conducting tailored studies is also crucial in today’s evolving drug development market. One case involved Porsolt developing a unique model for testing a client’s pain-reducing drug, by combining an established pain model together with its surgical, electrophysiology, and biomarker analysis capabilities, thereby addressing the specific needs of the client’s program.

In a bid to improve its expert services, Porsolt is aspiring to further enhance its current service portfolio towards new areas of opportunities, determined by client demands and market trends. In terms of global expansion, the company is looking forward to broadening its global presence in new and growing markets across Korea, China, India, and Eastern Europe.