Aragen has an experienced team of in vivo pharmacologists with strong domain knowledge in various animal models of disease to obtain in vivo proof-of-concept across multiple therapeutic areas. We have over 50 validated models in Oncology, Inflammation, Autoimmune Disease, Pain, Fibrosis, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases. Disease biologists head each therapeutic area and compounds screened and characterized by our team have progressed to clinical studies. Our screening modalities include small molecules, large molecules and antibodies. We help our customers select appropriate disease models from our validated portfolio of models. This team has a proven track record in validating new disease models as required to meet the customized needs of various drug discovery programs. Our in vivo scientists are well aligned with industry requirements of quality, reproducibility of scientific data, and delivery timelines.
We follow acute, chronic, mechanistic and pharmacodynamic models to assess target engagement, efficacy, PK/PD correlation and biomarker evaluation, in collaboration with our in vitro pharmacology and DMPK teams. Our efficacy models are validated with appropriate standard of care compounds and supported by rigorous statistical analysis. Data generated from each in vivo study is confidential and accessible only to the client and study personnel. Password protected files can only be downloaded via email or restricted share points on Intralinks sites.
Aragen has over 40,000 sq ft of vivarium space distributed between locations in India (Hyderabad, Bengaluru) and the United States (Morgan Hill, CA). Rodents procured from globally reputed vendors such as Taconic Biosciences, Charles River Laboratories and The Jackson Laboratory support in vivo efficacy, pharmacokinetics and exploratory toxicology for clients. Our modern infrastructure includes individually ventilated caging, automated temperature and humidity control systems, and access control systems with round-the-clock monitoring by dedicated veterinarians and trained staff. We are AAALAC accredited, and all animal experiments are conducted in accordance with protocols approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC).
Clinical pathology and histopathology routinely provide supporting validations for efficacy studies in Oncology, Inflammation, Pain, Toxicology, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases. Our laboratories are managed by dedicated pathologists and veterinarians.
Xenograft models of human cancer play an important role in the screening and evaluation of NCEs and NBEs as potential anticancer agents. Aragen scientists have developed and validated several xenograft models in Ncr Nu/Nu, NOD-SCID and SCID-Beige mice. We can customize and utilize any human cell line of interest to conduct in vivo proof-of concept studies for client NCEs and NBEs. Syngeneic models are tumor models whose genetic background is similar, if not identical to the host animal. As they retain an intact immune system, syngeneic models can be particularly pertinent for studies of immunologically-based targeted therapies that are either standalone or combinations. PK/PD correlations can be established by relating plasma and tumor exposure to tumor volume and weight, as well as to a panel of genomic, proteomic and metabolomic biomarkers.
| S.No. | Cell Line | Cancer Type | Origin | Mice Used for Tumor Development |
| 1 | A375 | Melanoma | Human | Ncr Nu/Nu Mice |
| 2 | SK-OV-3 | Ovarian | Human | Ncr Nu/Nu Mice |
| 3 | KM-12 | Colon | Human | Ncr Nu/Nu Mice |
| 4 | A549 | NSCLC | Human | Ncr Nu/Nu Mice |
| 5 | MDA-MB-231 | Breast | Human | SCID-Beige Mice |
| 6 | DU-145 | Prostate | Human | Ncr Nu/Nu Mice |
| 7 | PC-3 | Prostate | Human | SCID-Beige Mice |
| 8 | U87-MG | Glioblastoma | Human | SCID-Beige Mice |
| 9 | A2780 | Ovarian | Human | SCID-Beige Mice |
| 10 | MM1.S | Multiple Myeloma | Human | SCID-Beige Mice |
| 11 | RPMI8226 | Multiple Myeloma | Human | SCID-Beige Mice |
| 12 | MV4-11 | Beta Myelomonocytic Leukemia | Human | SCID-Beige Mice |
| 13 | B16F10 | Melanoma | Mice | C57BL/6 Mice |
| 14 | 4T1 | Breast | Mice | Balb/c Mice |
| 15 | A431 | Skin | Human | Ncr Nu/Nu Mice |
| 16 | NCl-H460 | Large Cell Lung Carcinoma | Human | Ncr Nu/Nu Mice |
| 17 | NCl-H358 | Non-small Cell Lung Cancer | Human | NOD-SCID Mice |
| 18 | CT26.WT | Colon Carcinoma | Mice | Balb/c Mice |
| 19 | Ba/F3 | A murine interleukin-3 dependent pro-B cell line | Mice | Ncr Nu/Nu Mice |
| 20 | PLC/PRF/5 | Hepatoma | Human | Ncr Nu/Nu Mice |
| 21 | PANC-01 | Pancreatic Cancer | Human | SCID-Beige Mice |
| 22 | AsPC-1 | Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer | Human | Ncr Nu/Nu Mice |
Other Oncology Support
Acute and chronic pain remain significant health problems despite tremendous progress in the understanding of their basic mechanisms. Studies conducted using intact animals allow the examination of the multidimensional nature of pain. Aragen scientists have developed various animal models to evaluate the efficacy of novel drug candidates against inflammatory, neuropathic and cancer pain.
Neuropathic Pain Models
Post-operative Pain Models
Inflammatory Pain Models
Inflammation is an early event that is the underlying cause of most diseases, including cancer. The inflammatory condition is associated with an activated immune system, including activated immune cells and biomolecules. Inflammatory models of diseases are therefore critical to the understanding of disease etiology across colitis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, arthritis and fibrosis. At Aragen, we employ animal models that show tissue-specific inflammation and utilize a variety of approaches, to evaluate novel treatments.
Inflammatory Fibrosis
Colon Inflammation
Dermal Inflammation
Multiple Sclerosis
Inflammatory Arthritis
Fibrosis is an endpoint for multiple diseases and is driven by the excessive production and deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins in tissues and organs. The increase in tissue stiffness associated with fibrosis impacts the normal functioning of tissues such as the lung, kidney and liver. Our diet-induced, chemical-induced and surgical models of fibrosis, coupled with an extensive evaluation of disease biomarkers, as well as cellular and molecular mechanisms, can help drive research efforts towards finding novel therapies.
Liver Fibrosis
Lung Fibrosis
Kidney Fibrosis
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, also known as lifestyle diseases, are the leading causes of morbidity and death in much of the modern world. The two major underlying causes are disorders of lipid metabolism, and metabolic syndrome that includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high fat and abnormal cholesterol. The ability to develop animal models that closely mimic the human disease condition is critical to advancing ameliorative or therapeutic treatments.
Obesity
Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Kidney Disease (CKD)
Cardiovascular Disease
