Generate the Data You Need to Identify, Characterize and Advance Small Molecule Compounds
Small molecule drug discovery requires evidence at multiple levels. A compound may interact with its intended target in a biochemical assay, but understanding whether this activity translates into a cellular response, affects the relevant biological pathway, or produces the expected effect in a more predictive model can provide additional evidence for compound characterization and progression.
Tebubio provides flexible small molecule drug discovery CRO services across biochemical assays, cell-based assays, biomarker profiling and predictive in vitro models. Whether you need support for a single experiment, a defined study or a combination of complementary approaches, we can configure the workflow around the scientific question you need to answer.
Small Molecule Drug Discovery Workflow
Small molecule discovery does not always follow a linear path. Depending on your program, you may need to move between biochemical, cellular and mechanistic studies, repeat experiments or introduce additional models as new questions emerge.
Our capabilities can support your program across six complementary areas:
& Validation
Target discovery → Target validation
Screening
Assay development → Compound screening → Hit identification
Characterization
Hit confirmation → Compound characterization → Potency / activity profiling
Optimization
Structure-activity relationship → Lead optimization
Validation
Cellular validation → Mechanism of action
Models
Predictive in vitro models
How We Support Small Molecule Drug Discovery
Target & Compound Characterization
Does your compound interact with and modulate the intended target?
Biochemical approaches can help characterize target activity, compound potency and molecular interactions. These assays can support compound screening, hit identification, hit confirmation, compound characterization and target validation.
Relevant capabilities:
Enzyme activity & inhibition: Characterize enzyme activity and assess compound-mediated inhibition.
Binding & interaction: Investigate interactions between compounds and their intended targets.
Biochemical screening: Screen compounds against defined biochemical targets or activities.
Protein modification: Investigate changes to protein state or function relevant to compound activity.
Protein production & purification: Access recombinant proteins required for biochemical assays and target characterization.
Cellular Validation
Does compound activity translate into a measurable cellular response?
Cell-based assays can help determine whether biochemical activity translates into functional effects in relevant cellular systems. These approaches can support hit confirmation, compound characterization, potency assessment and functional validation.
Relevant capabilities:
- Cell viability & cytotoxicity
- Cell proliferation & apoptosis
- Cell signaling
- Receptor & target function
- Cellular internalization
- Immune cell assays
- Cell migration & invasion
Together, these approaches can provide evidence of how a compound affects cellular function and whether activity observed at the molecular level is maintained in a cellular context.
Mechanism of Action
How does the compound produce its biological effect?
Once cellular activity has been established, understanding the underlying biological response can help clarify mechanism of action and support compound prioritization.
Biomarker and pathway analysis can be used alongside cellular assays to investigate target or pathway modulation and characterize downstream biological effects.
Relevant capabilities:
- Multiplex biomarker profiling
- Phosphorylation profiling
- Biomarker quantification
- Cellular signaling & pathway analysis
Multiplex measurements can provide a broader view of the biological response, while phosphorylation profiling can help identify changes in signaling pathways associated with compound treatment.
These approaches can help connect compound activity with downstream biological effects and provide additional evidence for mechanism-of-action studies and target or pathway validation.
Predictive In Vitro Models
How does the compound behave in a more relevant biological model?
When conventional biochemical or cell-based assays do not fully answer a research question, predictive in vitro models can provide additional biological context.
Available models include:
Blood-brain barrier models
Investigate compound transport and penetration across an in vitro blood-brain barrier model to support CNS drug discovery.
GI penetration models
Investigate compound penetration and behaviour in models relevant to the gastrointestinal tract.
Cellular senescence models
Study compound effects on senescent cells and associated cellular phenotypes.
Configure your CRO Support Around your Research Question
Small molecule discovery programs rarely require every available assay. You may need to answer a specific question at one point in your program and a different question as your understanding of the compound evolves.
Tebubio is a flexible CRO and can provide:
Single assays
Access a specific biochemical, cellular, biomarker or predictive assay to generate the data required for a defined question.
Defined studies
Combine complementary assays to investigate a specific aspect of compound activity, potency, target engagement or biological response.
Integrated discovery workflows
Connect multiple levels of biological evidence, from molecular activity through cellular response and mechanism of action, with additional predictive models where relevant.
Build Stronger Evidence as Your Small Molecule Program Evolves
Build evidence across biological levels
Connect biochemical activity, cellular response, biomarkers and predictive models to build a more complete picture of compound behaviour.
Expand your project as new questions emerge
Add complementary capabilities as your program evolves, without having to start again with a new service provider.
Supporting Technologies
Small molecule discovery projects may require additional technical capabilities beyond the core workflow.
Tebubio provides access to complementary technologies that can be integrated into a project where appropriate, including:
Protein production & purification
For biochemical assays and target characterization.
Bioinformatics & data analysis
For analysis and interpretation of assay and biomarker datasets.
Additional molecular biology & CRO technologies
Available through our technology-focused services.
Why Choose Tebubio as Your Laboratory Service Provider
EXPERTISE
PhD-level expertise
Scientific guidance tailored to your research question.
FLEXIBILITY
Support at the right scale
From a single assay to a complete study, with solutions that evolve with your project.
SIMPLICITY
One partner, less complexity
From study design to results, with a dedicated project manager by your side.
ACCESSIBILITY
European expertise, global reach
Your research, handled in France, with close collaboration and support for researchers in Europe.
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