MD Biosciences Blog

MD Biosciences lab was featured with Ellegaard offering an exclusive expertise in pain studies. The article discusses our work to develop and validate models in adult pigs, specifically for chronic and acute pain.

When do we recommend to work with minipigs?

MD Biosciences pigs studies include domestic pigs and Göttingen minipigs.

The main advantage of the minipig is that it gains weight much slower than the domestic pig. This could be significant when:

• The study requires working with adult animals
• When we run models with chronic diseases ( ≥3 months)
• Tox and ADME studies are run in Göttingen minipigs, which is significant for standardization

Pig models at MD Biosciences: 

Post-Operative Pain

Modified Post-Operative Pain

Neuropathic Pain

Wound Healing

Ready to learn how your research can accelerate with pig studies? Contact us today! +1 (651) 641-1770 or info-us@mdbiosciences.com 

Due to the clinical and pathological similarities of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), EAE  is a model for the study of human demyelinating disease. Both EAE and MS are characterized by a relapsing-remitting disease course with subsequent progressive disability. EAE is characterized by chronic inflammatory demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) and involves autoimmune CD4+ Th1 cells. These cells develop in the peripheral lymphoid organ and travel to the CNS causing an immune response. The development of T cells is controlled largely by the expression of various cytokines, as well as cellular adhesion molecules.

This past month in Paris, our scientists presented at the NeuroImmunology Conference, where they shared novel data in the Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) Induced model used to mimic Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This model is a powerful tool for studying disease pathogenesis as well as potential therapeutic interventions. Below find our poster data. 

When conducting MS research,  administration of one dose of MPB in a Lewis rat leads to a single relapse that is characterized by hind paw paralysis. This can be characterized histologically, by infiltration of mononuclear cells to the cervical spinal cord and formation of foci. This model is self-limiting and does not show demyelination.

Other MS-EAE Models at MD Biosciences: 

PLP

MBP

MOG

Interested to learn about customizable models for neurodegenerative disease research? Contact us today! 

Now live: a website dedicated to MD Biosciences' cutting-edge neurological and CNS research services offered through our Neuroscience Research Laboratories. Our facilities are fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and technologies for preclinical and translational studies, featuring clinically-relevant read outs and endpoints. Specialties include studies of neuropathic, acute and chronic pain and neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory diseases. Unique pig translational models and electrophysiology capabilities compliment rodent capabilities and accelerate your program towards their next objectives and milestones. Contact our team today! 651-641-1770 or info@mdbiosciences.com 

Despite massive investment in research for treatment options, there are not many effective and safe therapeutics for human chronic neuropathic pain (NP) afflictions. Options are limited due to the lack of translatable animal models, especially large animals who have similar physical and metabolic features to humans (Rice et al., 2008, Henze and Urban, 2010, Swindle et al., 2012). MD Biosciences, Inc. has developed a modified unilateral sciatic nerve PNT model in pigs that produces sustained NP behaviors consistent with those observed in human pain patients. The pig PNT model provides highly valuable data for translational pain research. 

                          Read more in our scientists' latest publication here! 

MD Biosciences translational models can be enhanced with behavioral analysis capabilities, electrophysiology recordings, histology/IHC services and more. Contact us today for more information: info-us@mdbiosciences.com or (651) 641-1770.

The problem: the rat model is limited in assessing any local treatment (cream, skin injections, patches and nerve blocks). 

The solution: translational models in pigs, prior to clinical stages.

•  A cutting-edge translational model (technically and scientifically): volume of injection, nerve stimulation, imaging, PK, behavioral changes and skin biomarkers.
•    By utilizing more translational models in larger species, the success rate of drugs entering clinical phases is dramatically increased.  

Now offering a unique model allowing the differentiation between motor dysfunction and pain block following drug application.

Unique Model Characteristics

• Similar to the clinic - ultrasound guide and nerve stimulation dosing
• The study enables the differentiation between motor dysfunction and pain block following drug administration
• Various readouts: von Frey-stimulation (primary pain), behavior score, motor function score, open field test, incision score, incision healing (histology) and biomarker analysis in skin

We also offer a wide variety of rodent models and services across therapeutic areas including inflammation, pain, neurodegenerative disease, wound healing, histology, cell-based assays, biomarker analysis and statistical review and more to compliment your studies. We look forward to learning more about your research needs and working together. Call us today: 651-641-1770.

We recently published a publication demonstrating the utility of open field testing in combination with behavioral scoring in the pig peripheral neuritis trauma (PNT) model for pain. Combined together and applied in this model, they represent a powerful tool to assess the spontaneous behavior of pigs in response to pain. Rodent models are often used in pain research as they offer valuable data regarding underlying mechanisms contributing to pain, though they are limited in their translatability to human application. A pivotal benefit of using pig models is their increased translatability to the clinic considering the anatomical and physiological similarities pigs share with humans in comparison to rodents. This paper suggests that pig behavioral patterns are similarly translatable. MD Biosciences is proud to be a leader in neurology-related research, offering a variety of pig studies to enhance development in multiple therapeutic areas.
 

 For more information regarding our pig study services, visit our website or contact us!

MD Biosciences is proud to announce a recent addition to our extensive laboratory services and capabilities: The BD LSR Fortessa^TM X-20 Flow Cytometer offers the flexibility to support multiparametric (16+ color) analyses with advanced performance and consistency. These capabilities provide increased functionality for applications in preclinical, translational and clinical programs such as immunophenotyping of complex cellular populations, and analysis of cellular activation and proliferation states. Contact us to learn about our flow cytometry capabilities or discuss a study proposal with our scientific team! 

• BD LSR FORTESSA Flow Cytometer

Oakdale, Minnesota USA

Nominated via the Minnesota State Dept. Of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the Progress MN award, offered by Finance & Commerce, recognizes innovative companies that have provided major contributions to business, industrial growth and economic development in innovative and unique ways.

MD Biosciences US-site at the 4Front Technology & Office Campus in Oakdale, MN.

Taken from Finance and Commerce Website:

https://finance-commerce.com/2018/04/progress-mn-md-biosciences-inc/

Written By: Frank Jossi April 6, 2018

Eddie Moradian, CEO of the family-owned MD Biosciences Inc., moved to Minnesota in 2008 from Switzerland to take over the company’s American operations.

Headquartered in Switzerland, MD Biosciences operates facilities and laboratories in that country, Israel and Minnesota.

The Minnesota location provides MD Biosciences with a central location and a highly dedicated and educated pool of researchers, health care centers and universities.

The company operates early-stage drug discovery and development laboratories in Minnesota. Labs at the two other locations often participate together in collaborative or fee-for-service pharmaceutical projects, Moradian said.

On a second front, MD Biosciences works closely with pharmaceutical and clinical laboratories in developing advanced clinical diagnostic tools and research products for inflammation, neuro-inflammation, immunological and oncological disease areas.

MD Biosciences has an in-depth expertise and scientific platform that attracts “novel” drug development work in the neurological, inflammatory and oncological disease areas, he said.

Such collaborations, along with internal developments, have resulted in a pipeline of non-opioid compounds for neuropathic pain, an advanced cancer program and blood-based diagnostic tool for a specific cancer, currently in clinical trials.

In 2016, Moradian partnered with Slumberland in the creation of an advanced, multi-technological incubator in Oakdale. “Incubology” offers dry and wet laboratory space, clean rooms and office space to companies in various areas, include biomolecule production, diagnostic processes, medical devices, nanotechnology and chemical synthesis.

“We believe that Incubology will soon grow to be an important regional anchor and seeding ground for new companies and technologies,” he said, “We are truly excited about what the future may bring.”

About MD Biosciences:

MD Biosciences is a leading provider of preclinical, translational and clinical-phase contract research services.  Established in 1991, MDB provides expertise and services in areas including cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, inflammatory and neurological conditions including pain-associated disease as well as surgical procedures. Through collaborations with pharmaceutical and medical device pioneers, MDB develops innovative therapeutics and diagnostic assays. Each scientist at MDB is highly specialized, and has an in-depth understanding of a variety of disease mechanisms and how to modulate them. This expertise, strengthened with over 10 years of pharmaceutical efficacy experience, brings value to drug development programs whether the focus is on new therapies or repositioning approved, expiring or failed therapies. Furthermore, MDB's clinical services operate at state of the art laboratories staffed with highly experienced scientists and technicians utilizing the newest and most advanced equipment available. All clinical work is performed according to CLIA standards, and may include assay development and validation, protocol design, sample archiving, and biomarker analysis services.

About Incubology:

About Finance and Commerce:

Finance and Commerce is the only daily newspaper devoted exclusively to business in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis–Saint Paul) of Minnesota. Founded in 1887, it provides extensive coverage of Twin Cities business news in the areas of real estate, construction, technology, banking, energy, health care and advertising. It is the official newspaper for Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis.

https://finance-commerce.com

For more information, please contact MD Biosciences at: info-us@mdbiosciences.com