Animal models

ChemDiv has developed a large number of animal models that are offered as a service to our clients. Areas of specialization include CNS (psychiatric and neurological diseases); metabolic and diabetes; oncology; infectious diseases and cardiovascular disorders. We are constantly adding to these model systems and our experienced pharmacologists will be pleased to discuss your needs. All model systems are fully validated and follow SOPs. Full compliance with the humane treatment of animals is respected for all studies and they are conducted in state-of-the-art facilities according to regulatory guidelines.

Animal models are also critical for developing suitable biomarkers that can be used in clinical studies to establish early indications of therapeutic efficacy. Studies such as Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic modeling are valuable for human dose estimations and are an integral part of the pre-clinical and clinical development plan.

In addition to animal models of disease, ChemDiv conducts pharmacokinetic, safety, and toxicological studies in several species including rodents, larger non-rodents such as rabbits and dogs, and non-human primates. These studies are all conducted according to regulatory requirements and form an integral part of the submission for First in Human studies.

Please contact our team at chemdiv@chemdiv.com to discuss your specific needs and application.

CNS IN VIVO

CNS In Vivo are designed in small animals (rats and mice) and large animal (monkeys) with the objective of providing mechanistic insights into neurodegenerative and psychiatric disease and opportunities for new strategies of therapeutic intervention. ChemDiv adheres to “Good Laboratory Practice” standards to ensure reliability and reproducibility of study results. QC/QA systems encompass SOPs for: study systems, performance, management; handling and analysis of the test items, data and biometrics; confidentiality, identity and security of proprietary compounds and reporting. Unimpaired laboratory animals are required to gain reliable results from behavioral pharmacology. Our quality management therefore focuses in particular on correct animal housing and handling for animal wellbeing, appropriate behavior and generation of valid data

Examples of tests:

The following tests are run routinely and are fully validated. Many additional models can be provided on request:

• General Behavior
• Memory Impairment tests
• Learning & Memory with Aged Animals
• Anxiety & Fear
• Psychomotor Behavior & Coordination
• Depression
• CNS-mediated Eating Disorders. Obesity.
• Drug Abuse & Dependence
• Alcohol and Drug Addiction
• Anti-depressant Activity Tests:
• Parkinsonism

• Open field test
• Rota-rod test
• Cross-maze test

Memory Impairment Tests

• Water maze test (Morris test)
• Passive avoidance
• Novel object recognition test

Learning & Memory with Aged Animals

• Radial Arm Maze
• Morris Water Maze

Anxiety & Fear

• Elevated Plus Maze
• Shock Probe
• Holeboard
• Light / Dark Box
• Passive Shock Avoidance

Psychomotor Behavior & Coordination

• Excitation & Sedation
• Exploration
• Stereotype Behavior
• Rotarod
• Catalepsy Test
• Acoustic startle response test
• Tilt Plane / Righting Reflex

Depression

Basic Pharmacology & Physiology

CNS-mediated Eating Disorders. Obesity

• Irwin Test
• Blood Samples
• Metabolic Cages

Drug Abuse & Dependence

• Withdrawal
• Conditioned Place Preference

Alcohol and Drug Addiction

• Animal Models for Addiction Development
• Loss of Control
• Craving

Anti-depressant Activity Tests

• Porsolt forced swim test
• Tail suspension test
• Elevated platform

Parkinsonism

MPTP-induced motor impairment model

Please contact our team at chemdiv@chemdiv.com to discuss your specific needs and application.

METABOLIC IN VIVO

• Acute treatment model
• 7-day treatment model
• Feeding monitor
• Drinking monitor
• Diet-induced obesity

7 day and 28 day treatment
Genetic-induced obesity

7, 14 and 28 day treatment
Sucrose-induced obesity

ONCOLOGY IN VIVO

ChemDiv offers research in both human xenografts and syngenic tumors in mice. Xenografts can be grown in nude mice or SCID and primary tumor growth or metastasis can be evaluated. Syngenic tumors can be grown in most mice species. We offer traditional subcutaneous models as well as orthoic and other models and can customize models to meet your needs. Other models can be procured on short notice.

Studies

• Culture and inoculation of tumor cell lines
• Monitoring and measurement of tumor growth
• Administration of therapeutic or preventative dosing protocols
• Excision and collection of tumors
• Necropsy with observation for sites
• “Tumor Growth” – initial studies to determine tumor growth rate in nude mice
• “Tumor Production” – production of tumor-bearing mice for collection of tumors or performance of therapeutic studies

ANIMAL MODELS

ChemDiv has taken the additional step of setting up rodent and primate facilities for central nervous system, metabolic/diabetes/obesity, oncology, cardiovascular and infectious diseases drug testing.

ChemDiv also provides Pharmacokinetic, Safety and Toxicology studies in rodents, larger animals and non-human primates. This has the goal of helping take many of the lead programs the company is working on with customers toward registration and First in Man clinical studies.

Please contact our team at chemdiv@chemdiv.com to discuss your specific needs and application.