Crown Bioscience Blog

Mastering Radiopharmaceutical Development: Preclinical Model Selection for Clinical Success

Crown Bioscience — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:06:56 GMT

What if the next breakthrough in cancer treatment isn't a pill or infusion, but a precisely targeted radioactive payload that hunts down tumor cells like a guided missile? In this Smart Biotech Scientist Podcast episode, Dr. David Brühlmann speaks with Bryan Miller, Director of Scientific and Technical Operations at Crown Bioscience UK, about the radiopharmaceutical revolution transforming oncology. From theranostic approaches to advanced preclinical modeling, Miller shares insights on how this emerging therapeutic class is reshaping cancer treatment strategies.

Beyond Efficacy: Why DMPK and Toxicology Matter Earlier Than You Think

Crown Bioscience — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 10:01:20 GMT

When people hear Crown Bioscience, they often think of world-class in vivo oncology models - and for good reason. But behind every successful oncology program is something just as critical: understanding how a drug behaves in the body and whether it can do so safely.

In this CrownCast episode, host Michelle Dawn Mooney sits down with Rekha Pal, Senior Director of Scientific Engagement, and Santi Suryani Chen, Director of Business Development at Crown Bioscience, to explore where DMPK and toxicology fit into the drug discovery picture and how getting them right can save programs from costly detours.

PDX Models De‑Risking Treatment Development: From MoA Validation to Resistance Mapping

marianne.baillargeon@crownbio.com (Marianne Baillargeon) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 19:52:55 GMT

Developing an oncology therapy requires a series of key decisions, each with the power to move a program forward or set it back. Pipelines are increasingly crowded, and many companies are chasing the same, increasingly precise targets. A staged workflow that begins with broad in vitro and organoid screening, progresses through ex vivo tissue, and culminates in PDX models creates a clear path toward clinically relevant validation. Together, these systems support decisions that reflect real patient biology and reduce risk at every stage.

Designing Immuno‑Oncology Studies with Humanized Mouse Models: A Practical Primer

marianne.baillargeon@crownbio.com (Marianne Baillargeon) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:01:43 GMT

Immunooncology (IO) drug development increasingly depends on understanding human specific immune mechanisms. However, these subtle, highly coordinated interactions simply cannot be replicated by traditional murine immune systems. Many next generation immunotherapies rely on receptors, signaling pathways, and effector functions that exist only in humans. Without a model capable of recapitulating these features, early stage programs risk overlooking critical biology or mischaracterizing a therapy’s true potential.

ADC Development Revolution: Leveraging Translational Models for Next-Generation Cancer Therapeutics

Crown Bioscience — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:59:41 GMT

In the rapidly evolving landscape of oncology drug discovery, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent one of the most promising therapeutic modalities. In this CrownCast episode, Benjamin Wilkin, Product Marketing Manager at Crown Bioscience, sits down with David Ouyang, SVP of Innovation at Crown Bioscience, to explore how advanced translational models are transforming ADC development and overcoming the unique challenges of this complex therapeutic class.

Optimising Clinical Trials Through Integrated Biomarker and Translational Data Models

julie-mayer@crownbio.com (Julie Ann Mayer, PhD) — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:50:15 GMT

Published in IBI on February 5, 2026, by Julie Ann Mayer, PhD

Navigating Phase 3: Translational & Clinical Support in Drug Discovery

bindi.doshi@crownbio.com (Bindi Doshi, PhD) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:00:02 GMT

The final stage of drug discovery focuses on translational and clinical support, turning promising preclinical findings into successful human trials. This process ensures that insights from the lab are relevant to patients and lays the groundwork for clinical success and regulatory approval. To achieve this, researchers use translational modeling, clinical biomarkers, and sample analysis, which together guide trial design and support the development of new therapies.

Navigating Phase 2: Preclinical Development and Optimization in Drug Discovery

bindi.doshi@crownbio.com (Bindi Doshi, PhD) — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:00:04 GMT

Phase 2, of the drug discovery process, or preclinical development and optimization, is a critical stage in drug discovery. It bridges early lead identification with preparation for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application. Once a lead compound has been identified, researchers focus on evaluating its efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, and biomarker potential in relevant biological systems. These studies guide clinical trial design and help reduce risks that could compromise later stages of development.

Navigating Phase 1: Target Identification and Validation in Drug Discovery

bindi.doshi@crownbio.com (Bindi Doshi, PhD) — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:51:40 GMT

Drug discovery is a journey defined by high stakes and complex challenges. From the initial identification of a target to the rigorous demands of human trials, the path to a successful therapeutic is often fragmented, leading to high attrition rates where promising compounds fail to translate into effective medicines.

The Radiopharmaceutical Revolution: Driving Precision in Treatment

Crown Bioscience — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:01:55 GMT

The convergence of advanced radiochemistry, molecular targeting, and strategic industry partnerships is creating unprecedented opportunities to deliver more effective, less toxic cancer treatments. In this CrownCast episode, Rajendra Kumari, Executive Director of Integrated Solutions at Crown Bioscience, talks with Dr Juliana Maynard, Head of Translational Imaging at Medicines Discovery Catapult about how this field is reshaping therapeutic possibilities to develop, regulate, and deliver cutting-edge cancer care to patients worldwide.

The Emerging Promise of Radiopharmaceuticals

Unlike conventional therapies, radiopharmaceuticals operate at the molecular level, delivering targeted radiation directly to cancer cells. This approach contrasts with traditional methods that often impact healthy tissues, leading to severe side effects. By using a targeting molecule to deliver a radioactive isotope to the tumor, radiopharmaceuticals provide a therapeutic effect that's both precise and minimally invasive, even reaching micrometastases that other treatments might miss. For patients, this means fewer side effects and better treatment outcomes, making it a significant leap forward in oncology care.

The Oncology Drug Development Landscape: Regulatory Trends, Modalities, and Translational Priorities for 2026

yan.han@crownbio.com (Yan Han, PhD) — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 12:13:10 GMT

The 2025 oncology drug development landscape reflected increasing regulatory selectivity, accelerated growth in antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), and deeper integration of high-fidelity translational models. FDA approvals favored well-validated mechanisms with strong clinical evidence, while emerging modalities—such as allogeneic cell therapies and molecular glue degraders—advanced toward critical inflection points.

Why Integrating DMPK with Biomarker Strategies Improves Predictive Power

Crown Bioscience — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:27:43 GMT

The Growing Role of DMPK in Drug Development

Despite remarkable advances in drug development, only around 12 percent of candidates ever reach the market. Many promising molecules fail not because they lack therapeutic potential, but because of unfavorable pharmacokinetics (PK) or toxicological properties.

Comparing Organoids and Patient-derived Xenograft Models for the Development of Antibody-drug Conjugates

benjamin.wilkin@crownbio.com (Benjamin Wilkin) — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 13:42:17 GMT

Published in IBI on October 10, 2025, by Benjamin Wilkin

Transforming Cancer Drug Development in the UK: Perspectives and Breakthroughs

Crown Bioscience — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:29:58 GMT

Across the global oncology drug discovery landscape, the UK stands at the forefront. In this CrownCast episode, Rajendra Kumari, Executive Director of Integrated Solutions at Crown Bioscience, talks with Sarah Wagner, Senior Director of Business Development and Bryan Miller, Director of Scientific and Technical Operations about leveraging the UK’s vibrant ecosystem of cutting-edge technologies, strong collaborations, and a commitment to high ethical standards.

The Evolving Role of CROs in Drug Discovery

CROs in the UK have transitioned from being mere service providers to becoming integral collaborators throughout the drug development process. As Sarah points out, "A good CRO will become your partner and build a strong relationship with your company, guiding you from early-stage discovery to clinical trials." This partnership approach is crucial, especially for startups that rely on the extensive expertise and resources of CROs to bring their innovations to life.

The Future of Clinical Trials: Incorporating 'Omics for Enhanced Stratification

Crown Bioscience — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:16:51 GMT

Why Tumor Heterogeneity Challenges Clinical Trials

Tumor heterogeneity remains a major obstacle in clinical trials. Differences between tumors and even within a single tumor can drive drug resistance by altering treatment targets or shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME). These variations occur within tumors, across primary and metastatic sites, and change over the course of disease progression. (1)

Harnessing the Power of High-quality Biospecimens

Crown Bioscience — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:30:21 GMT

As cancer research progresses rapidly, obtaining high-quality biospecimens has grown increasingly important for making significant breakthroughs. In this CrownCast episode, Rajendra Kumari, Executive Director of Integrated Solutions at Crown Bioscience, talks with Sadaf Malik, Senior Director, Head US Sales (Biobank and Biomarker) about how superior biospecimens can drive advancements in oncology by means of innovative biobanking.

The Importance of High-Quality Biospecimens

In oncology research, biospecimens play a critical role in the accurate validation of biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The significance of controlling preanalytical variables, such as ischemia time, ensures the integrity of these samples. In addition, the ability to obtain matched tissue and blood samples further enhances research opportunities, allowing scientists to investigate comprehensive biological interactions. This meticulous approach to biospecimen collection provides a reliable foundation for creating impactful cancer therapies and diagnostics.

Integrating DMPK Early in Drug Development: A Strategic Imperative for Success

Crown Bioscience — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 11:13:18 GMT

The journey from the lab bench to the bedside is a long, complex, and expensive process. One of the most pressing challenges in pharmaceutical R&D is the high attrition rates of new chemical entities (NCE) in preclinical and clinical drug development, often due to insufficient efficacy, safety issues and economic reasons. Efficacy and safety can be related to absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties, as well as drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), toxicokinetics, and drug interactions.

How In Vitro DMPK Studies Can Prevent Late-Stage Drug Development Failures

bindi.doshi@crownbio.com (Bindi Doshi, PhD) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT

The High Cost of Failure: Why Early Assessment is Paramount

Drug development is a complex, lengthy, expensive and uncertain journey, often spanning over a decade, on average, and costing billions of dollars. Despite advances in science and technology, the attrition rate in late-stage drug development remains high at over 80%, particularly in Phase II and III clinical trials. Many of these late-stage failures are linked to unforeseen issues with pharmacokinetics and metabolism profiles, such as poor bioavailability, rapid clearance, or drug-drug interactions.

Radiopharmaceuticals: The Evolving Role of Radiation in Targeted Cancer Therapy

marianne.baillargeon@crownbio.com (Marianne Baillargeon) — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 18:55:08 GMT

Radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) is increasingly being recognized for its potential as a targeted oncology treatment modality. With its ability to selectively target and destroy cancer cells using radioactive isotopes, RPT has emerged as a promising approach in cancer therapy, with projected US sales of $2 billion in 2025. This blog aims to educate researchers, biotech professionals, and the scientific community on the science, therapeutic potential, and preclinical considerations of RPT, highlighting why this field is gaining traction.

The Role of Biomarkers in AML Drug Discovery

benjamin.wilkin@crownbio.com (Benjamin Wilkin) — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT

The Urgency for Innovative AML Therapies

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer with low survival rates, despite recent progress in targeted therapies. This highlights the urgent need for innovative drug discovery approaches. Biomarker-guided strategies and robust AML models are central to advancing therapeutic development.

The Future of Antibody-Drug Conjugates: Advances in Bioconjugation, Linkers, and Payload Optimization

benjamin.wilkin@crownbio.com (Benjamin Wilkin) — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are redefining cancer therapy by combining the targeting precision of monoclonal antibodies with the potency of cytotoxic drugs. This allows for selective tumor cell killing while minimizing systemic toxicity, offering an effective treatment option for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.

Targeted Protein Degradation with PROTACs and Molecular Glues

bindi.doshi@crownbio.com (Bindi Doshi, PhD) — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Targeted Protein Degradation

Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) represents a groundbreaking paradigm shift in modern drug discovery, offering a novel approach to address previously "undruggable" disease-causing proteins.

Bridging the Gap: Translating Preclinical Biomarkers to Clinical Success

bindi.doshi@crownbio.com (Bindi Doshi, PhD) — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Despite remarkable strides in biomarker discovery, a troubling chasm persists between preclinical promise and clinical utility. This blog explores the scientific and strategic approaches necessary to overcome translational hurdles and improve the predictive validity of preclinical biomarkers—ultimately accelerating their path to regulatory approval and patient benefit.

Harnessing Mass Spectrometry for Biomarker Discovery in AML Drug Development

benjamin.wilkin@crownbio.com (Benjamin Wilkin) — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains one of the most aggressive hematological malignancies, characterized by the rapid proliferation of immature myeloid cells in the bone marrow and blood. Despite advances in chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, AML continues to pose significant clinical challenges due to its high relapse rate, clonal heterogeneity, and resistance to standard therapies. The five-year survival rate remains low, especially among older adults, underscoring the urgent need for more personalized and effective treatment strategies. In this context, precision medicine—guided by robust biomarkers—is emerging as a transformative approach to improve outcomes in AML drug discovery.

The Future of Drug Development: How Organoids Are Leading the Charge

Crown Bioscience — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:44:45 GMT

As the landscape of drug discovery evolves, breakthrough technologies like organoids are gaining traction for their potential to revolutionize how new treatments are developed. In this episode of CrownCast, Jonny McMichael, Vice President at Crown Bioscience, and Leo Price, a member of Crown Bioscience’s Scientific Advisory Board, shed light on organoids' growing role in drug development. With insights into their application, this commentary delves into a technology that offers a significant leap toward personalized medicine, ushering in a new era for the healthcare industry.

The Promise of Organoids in Modern Medicine

The conversation with Dr. Price underscores organoids' potential as accurate models of human tissue. Organoids are cultured cell structures that mimic the complexities of human organs, allowing researchers to study them under conditions that closely replicate real biological environments. The shift from traditional 2D cell lines to 3D organoids provides a more relevant context for understanding diseases and testing treatments.

For decision-makers in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, organoids represent a key innovation extending beyond existing in vitro models. These structures hold the promise of reducing the high failure rate seen in clinical trials by providing more accurate preclinical testing, thus potentially saving time and resources while enhancing patient safety.

Emerging Technologies in Biomarker Discovery You Should Know About

bindi.doshi@crownbio.com (Bindi Doshi, PhD) — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Biomarker discovery is currently undergoing a technological renaissance, driven by breakthroughs in multi-omics, spatial biology, AI, and high-throughput analytics, which offer higher resolutions, faster speed, and more translational relevance than ever before. This is reshaping how research teams identify, validate, and translate biomarkers, transforming the entire biomarker discovery pipeline and elevating biomarkers from mere diagnostic tools to indispensable orchestrators of personalized treatment paradigms.

Off-target toxicity in antibody-drug conjugates

benjamin.wilkin@crownbio.com (Benjamin Wilkin) — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are among the most exciting advances in target cancer therapy. They combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the cytotoxic potency of small molecule drugs to focus treatment on malignant cells while reducing damage to healthy cells.

Inside Oncology Drug Development: Overcoming Resistance with Science

Crown Bioscience — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:58:39 GMT

Imagine standing on the brink of a breakthrough in cancer treatment, only to be halted by one daunting barrier: drug resistance. In this episode of CrownCast, Jonny McMichael, PhD, VP of Client Experience and Enablement at Crown Bioscience, alongside Enrico Pesenti, the company’s Executive Director of Client Engagement, delve into this critical issue. Their discussion highlights that drug resistance affects a staggering number of patients, transforming promising therapies into temporary solutions. But what if there was a way to turn this hurdle into an opportunity for innovation and better patient outcomes?

The Patient’s Journey: An Emotional and Scientific Challenge

At the heart of drug resistance lies a deeply personal story - each slide of a patient’s tissue sample represents an individual’s journey of courage and hope in navigating a challenging chapter of their life. As Enrico shared in the podcast, understanding drug resistance is not only a scientific endeavor but also a commitment to improving lives. For many patients, resistance implies enduring multiple lines of therapy, translating into relapses and diminishing hope. But with this challenge comes an urgent call to refine our approach to treatment.

Cell Line-Derived Xenografts: A Reliable Platform for Preclinical Cancer Drug Testing

Crown Bioscience — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT

In the complex landscape of oncology research and drug development, reliable preclinical models are crucial. Among various available platforms, cell line-derived xenografts (CDX) stand out as a robust and highly valuable model system, offering unique advantages for understanding tumor biology, drug efficacy, and therapeutic potential. This article explores the pivotal role of CDX models in preclinical cancer research, emphasizing their utility in drug discovery and development processes.

Transforming Cancer Therapy: Insights from 2025 H1 FDA Approvals and Preclinical Drug Discovery

yan.han@crownbio.com (Yan Han, PhD) — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:09:57 GMT

Oncology drug approvals in H1 2025

In the first half of 2025, the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) approved a total of 16 novel drugs, with half of these drugs related to the treatment of cancer. Both the novel and supplemental oncology approvals reflected recent developmental innovations, including an increased focus on targeted, immunologically driven, and personalized oncology therapies, targeting a broad range of cancers.

The Critical Role of Biorepositories in Modern Research

bindi.doshi@crownbio.com (Bindi Doshi, PhD) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT

In today's fast-paced world of biomedical research, the importance of biorepositories cannot be overstated. These specialized facilities have become foundational to advancements in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, and numerous other fields. With the ability to store, manage, and distribute high-quality biospecimens, biorepositories enable researchers to unlock new discoveries and drive scientific progress. In this blog post, we aim to educate the scientific and clinical community on the critical value of well-characterized, high-quality biospecimens. We'll also explore how advanced biorepository practices ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and translational relevance, and highlight how Crown Bioscience’s biospecimen solutions meet the growing demand for clinically relevant, multi-omic-ready samples.

Top 5 quality factors that make or break biospecimen research

bindi.doshi@crownbio.com (Bindi Doshi, PhD) — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT

While experiment design and analytical methods play a crucial role in successful studies, the importance of biological sample integrity should not be overlooked, as it is critical to generating accurate and reliable results. Poor biospecimen quality can undermine well-planned research protocols, resulting in irreproducible and invalid outcomes, wasted time and resources, and even failed studies. That’s why biospecimen integrity is the cornerstone of reproducible, high-impact biomedical research, underpinning every stage of a study, from collection and storage through to processing and data integration.

The role of patient-derived xenograft models (PDX) in antibody-drug conjugate development

benjamin.wilkin@crownbio.com (Benjamin Wilkin) — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Often referred to as “magic bullets” or “biological missiles”, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are one of the most promising advances in targeted cancer therapy, as they allow potent anti-cancer agents to be selectively delivered to cancer cells, while minimizing damage to healthy cells. This unique class of hybrid drugs typically contain a monoclonal antibody (mAbs) and a cytotoxic drug, attached via a chemical linker, combining “both the advantages of highly specific targeting ability and highly potent killing effect to achieve accurate and efficient elimination of cancer cells”. Despite their potential, ADC development faces significant challenges, including the complexity of selecting targets, optimizing linker chemistry, and predicting clinical efficacy.

Key assays and analytical techniques for the development of antibody drug conjugates

benjamin.wilkin@crownbio.com (Benjamin Wilkin) — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Highly targeted antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) combine an antibody with a cytotoxic payload, covalently attached via a chemical linker. These “biological missiles” represent an exciting new advance in anti-cancer therapies and are one of the fastest-growing segments in oncology drug development. Due to their complex make-up and multiple components, analysis of their chemistry and functionality is challenging, requiring advanced assays and techniques for effective study and characterization. This article introduces key assays and models available to research teams looking to investigate ADC mechanisms and develop the next generation of this exciting new drug category.

Navigating the Future of Preclinical Testing Post-FDA Animal Testing Mandate

Crown Bioscience — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 16:32:30 GMT

In the relentlessly evolving landscape of drug discovery, modern technologies and groundbreaking methods are preparing drugs that are more human-centric, efficient, and improved in terms of reliability. It's a journey that promises more efficient future for pharmaceutical companies and, ultimately, patients worldwide.

Revamping Test Methods: A Leap Towards Non-Animal Approaches

The age-old practice of animal experiments is on the cusp of transformation. The shift is driven by a myriad of changes. Our expert guest, Professor Thomas Hartung, Chair of Evidence-Based Toxicology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health provides his industry insights into new approaches drug discovery through technologies such as organoids and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

New developments like Microphysiological Systems (MPS) are particularly important, with MPS replicating the functionality of human organs and AI enriching predictions and speeding up drug design.

Elevating Customer Experiences for Lasting Success: Our UK teams’ approach

sarah-wagner@crownbio.com (Sarah Wagner) — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:30:00 GMT

Successful drug discovery requires streamlined services to manage studies, collaborations, and materials, while also minimizing logistical challenges and reducing study turnaround times. At Crown Bioscience UK, alongside our broader European and global operations, we believe creating a seamless and engaging customer journey is the key to success.

Overcoming Oncology Drug Resistance with Clinically Relevant Insights

bindi.doshi@crownbio.com (Bindi Doshi, PhD) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Overcoming drug resistance presents a significant challenge in cancer treatment for both solid and liquid tumors. A comprehensive collection of resistant models, specifically tailored for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)-pretreated models and liquid tumors, offers deep insights into the underlying causes of resistance, such as genetic mutations, immune evasion, or changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME).

How to use in vitro models to study and overcome drug resistance in oncology

marianne.baillargeon@crownbio.com (Marianne Baillargeon) — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 11:12:29 GMT

Drug resistance remains one of the most pressing challenges in oncology drug development, as it is the leading cause of treatment failure. As researchers look to understand and overcome drug resistance, they need precise, controllable, and scalable models that allow them to isolate and study resistance mechanisms effectively. This article explores the role in vitro models are playing in the fight against drug resistance and explains how they can accelerate the development of successful novel therapies.

Patient Tumor Samples and Mass Spectrometry: Unveiling Molecular Signatures in Cancer Research

Crown Bioscience — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:40:27 GMT

The integration of patient tumor samples and mass spectrometry is reshaping the landscape of cancer research and precision medicine. As researchers and clinicians seek to understand the complexities of cancer at a molecular level, high-resolution analytical techniques have become essential. Mass spectrometry (MS), when applied to patient-derived tumor tissues, allows for comprehensive profiling of proteins, lipids, metabolites, and post-translational modifications—offering insights into tumor biology, progression, and therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Spatial Data Analysis of Patient Tumor Samples: A New Frontier in Oncology Research

Crown Bioscience — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Advancements in oncology are increasingly driven by the ability to extract more detailed and precise information from patient tumor samples. Traditional histopathological techniques, while foundational, often fail to capture the spatial heterogeneity and cellular interactions that underlie complex tumor microenvironments. Enter spatial data analysis—a transformative approach that brings context back into molecular analysis by preserving the geographic architecture of cells within tissue samples.

From Organoid Co-Cultures to Functional Tumoroids: Pushing Boundaries in In Vitro Models

Crown Bioscience — Tue, 27 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems have transformed the landscape of in vitro models, providing more physiologically relevant insights into cellular behavior, disease progression, and therapeutic response. Among these models, organoid co-cultures and functional tumoroids have emerged as powerful tools in cancer research, enabling more accurate recapitulation of tumor microenvironments. Ongoing research continues to refine these models, pushing the boundaries of their applications in precision medicine, high-throughput drug screening, and immuno-oncology.

Syngeneic Models in Cancer Research: Bridging the Gap Between In Vivo and Clinical Studies

Crown Bioscience — Fri, 23 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT

In the evolving landscape of cancer research, the development and validation of effective therapeutic agents depend heavily on preclinical models that can replicate human disease with high fidelity. Among these, syngeneic models have emerged as a vital tool in oncology research, offering a unique balance between experimental control and biological relevance. These models are instrumental in bridging the translational gap between in vivo murine studies and clinical outcomes in humans, particularly in the context of immuno-oncology.

Redefining Precision Medicine with Organoids: Insights from Crown Bioscience

marrit.putker@crownbio.com (Marrit Putker, PhD) — Wed, 21 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Transforming Oncology Drug Development: The Power and Potential of Biomarkers

Crown Bioscience — Mon, 19 May 2025 14:59:31 GMT

Oncology continues to be a rapidly changing field with scientific discoveries transforming patient treatment and care. As it stands today, advancements in biomarkers are playing a vital role in furthering drug development and personalized medical approaches.

The Definition and Impact of Biomarkers

At the heart of personalized medicine in oncology, biomarkers act as a guiding force. Our understanding and approach to biomarkers have broadened significantly over the years. Earlier, they were used largely for target identification, helping to indicate pathways of disease. Today, biomarkers have a wide range of applications from identifying disease pathways to patient selection, safety testing, efficacy confirmation, and dose selection.

Tumor Tissue Microarrays (TMAs): Importance, Applications, and Role in Drug Discovery

Crown Bioscience — Mon, 19 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Cancer research has evolved significantly over the years, driven by the need for more precise and efficient methods to study tumor biology, identify biomarkers, and develop targeted therapies. One of the most impactful innovations in this field is the Tumor Tissue Microarray (TMA), a high-throughput platform that enables the simultaneous analysis of multiple tumor samples within a single experiment. TMAs have become an indispensable tool for researchers, offering a systematic, scalable, and cost-effective way to study cancer pathology, validate drug targets, and accelerate therapeutic advancements.

The next generation of antibody-drug conjugates: pan-cancer ADCs

Crown Bioscience — Thu, 15 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a cutting-edge advance in cancer therapy. These targeted agents combine a monoclonal antibody and a cytotoxic payload via a chemical linker to deliver cancer drugs directly into cancer cells, maximizing the drug concentration delivered to tumor sites while minimizing damage to healthy cells. Research into next-generation ADCs is surging, with market projections exceeding $50 billion by 2030, driven by innovative therapy approvals and increasing applications.

Advancing Spatial Biology: Unlocking Insights with Nanostring Transcriptomics & Proteomics

Crown Bioscience — Wed, 14 May 2025 11:59:48 GMT

Spatial biology is transforming our understanding of tissue microenvironments, providing unprecedented insights into gene expression and protein interactions in situ. By preserving spatial context, researchers can gain a deeper comprehension of cellular heterogeneity and the intricate communication between cells within tissues. This field is particularly valuable in studying complex biological systems, such as tumors, the immune system, and neurological networks, where spatial relationships significantly influence function and disease progression.

Understanding the Bone Marrow Niche: A Key to Advancing Hematological Research

Talita-Stessuk@crownbio.com (Talita Stessuk) — Fri, 09 May 2025 12:57:51 GMT

The bone marrow niche is a dynamic microenvironment essential for maintaining hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms in the bone marrow niche provides valuable insights for therapeutic interventions. The interplay between stromal cells, extracellular matrix components, and signaling pathways within the niche not only affects normal hematopoiesis but also contributes to tumor progression, drug resistance, and metastasis in hematological cancers.

Reliable Alternatives for Drug Discovery: Questions and Answers

rajendra.kumari@crownbio.com (Rajendra Kumari, PhD) — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 12:59:10 GMT

In 2022, the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 removed the mandate for animal testing in drug development. Now, in a landmark April 2025 update, the FDA has announced plans to phase out animal testing requirements for monoclonal antibodies and other therapies — shifting the focus toward more effective, human-relevant methods and embracing the 3Rs of animal research (replace, reduce, refine).

Theranostic Strategies: Dual-Function Agents for Imaging and Therapy

Crown Bioscience — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Introduction to Theranostics: Bridging Imaging and Therapy

The convergence of diagnostics and therapeutics—collectively termed theranostics—is revolutionizing precision medicine. By integrating imaging and therapy within a single platform, theranostics allows for the real-time visualization of disease progression while simultaneously delivering targeted treatment. This dual capability enhances personalized medicine by ensuring that therapies are precisely tailored to individual patient profiles, leading to optimized treatment efficacy, reduced toxicity, and improved clinical outcomes.