Tissue Distribution with QWBA and mARG Services

Pharmaron’s quantitative whole-body autoradiography (QWBA) capabilities enable rapid quantitation of tissue distribution in a variety of animal models. More detailed examination can also be conducted at the intra-organ and cellular level using microautoradiography (mARG). This is complemented by traditional tissue dissection, analysis (“cut and burn”) and histology techniques where appropriate. Both techniques can be combined with an integrated service to provide ¹⁴C and ³H radiolabels for use in these programs. These approaches can be employed to study small molecules, large molecules, polymers, conjugates and delivery devices.

Learn more about Pharmaron’s Tissue Imaging Services Using Radiolabelled Compounds.

Capabilities

Radiolabelled in vitro Metabolism Studies

in vivo PK Using Radiolabelled Compounds

Tissue Distribution with QWBA and mARG

A scientist wearing blue gloves carefully pours blue liquid from a flask into a test tube in a laboratory setting. The background is blurred, emphasizing the precise handling of chemicals. in radiosynthesis and radiolabelling services for ADME

Radiolabelled Chemical Synthesis

Bespoke radiosynthesis of ¹⁴C and ³H small molecules
Radiolabelling of peptides, proteins, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), polymers and other constructs
Radiolabelled oligonucleotide synthesizer
Rapid covalent radiolabelling techniques with ³H/¹⁴C to “RadioTag” macromolecules

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Scientist handles frozen tissue sections using QWBA and mARG techniques, examining detailed tissue distribution in a cryostat chamber.

Quantitative Whole Body Autoradiography (QWBA)

Distribution of drug-related material in blood and tissues
Target organ engagement for drug-related material (e.g. CNS, kidney, liver)
Identify sites of accumulation or disposition
Assess melanin-binding in pigmented tissues
Fetal exposure and milk secretion to support teratology studies
Human dosimetry calculations and dosimetry reports for clinical metabolism studies

Microscopic image of tissue stained in pink and purple, showing clustered cells with visible nuclei, used for histological analysis.

Microautoradiography (mARG)

High resolution for determining intra-organ distribution
Intracellular distribution in specific cell types
Identification of binding sites within organs and cells
Receptor occupancy studies and immunohistochemistry

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Two scientists in masks review imaging data displayed on a monitor in a dimly lit lab, likely discussing experimental results.

Novel Real-time Digital Autoradiography

Fast turnaround tritiation and tissue imaging (³H) to support late-stage lead optimization or candidate selection
Concomitant differential tissue distribution for dual ³H/¹⁴C radiolabelled compounds – both ³H and ¹⁴C radiolabels can be quantified simultaneously in the same tissue slices
Autoradiographs are available in hours rather than days

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Related Services

Learn more about Pharmaron’s small molecule services

Pharmaron provides a complete integrated platform from drug discovery to proof of concept (“POC”). Our industry knowledge, strong execution tactics and end-to-end solutions shorten the drug discovery and development cycle.

A gloved hand uses a pipette to transfer liquid into a multi-well plate under focused lighting, with a microscope in the background, during biologics analysis.

Learn more about Pharmaron’s biologics services

Pharmaron aims to enable biologics innovators, through extensive biologic discovery and development capabilities supported by a suite of analytical and functional assays, a full offering of in vitro/in vivo services in addition to potency, safety and cGMP manufacturing to help identify the shortest pathway to approval.