Researchers will benefit from InnoSer’s preclinical drug development expertise combined with Hasselt University’s foundational knowledge in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to advance preclinical MS research. 

Diepenbeek, Belgium, ​​October 16th, 2024 — InnoSer, a leading preclinical contract research organization (CRO), announces the signing of a ​​​​​Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)​ with BIOMED, a multidisciplinary research institute of Hasselt​ University​. The signing of this agreement marks a significant ​​​​​​​initiative ​aimed at advancing therapeutic development by offering well-characterized cellular and animal​ models​ ​for​​ M​ultiple Sclerosis​ (MS) research​.  

MS is a complex, chronic neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Patients suffering from MS are affected by a wide range of neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness, cognitive dysfunction, and visual impairments, significantly compromising their quality of life. Understanding and modeling the underlying disease mechanisms in appropriate research models is the key to advancing the approval of novel treatments for use in the clinic.  

The collaboration builds on BIOMED’s long-standing expertise in MS research models and InnoSer’s experience in in vivo therapeutic testing, comprehensive neuroscience specialization, and preclinical services platform. This collaboration will allow InnoSer to enhance its research service capabilities, offering clients highly translational and integrated research services. BIOMED will be able to non-exclusively enhance the valorization and impact of its know-how. BIOMED’s extensive experience in executing both fundamental and exploratory studies, as well as industry-oriented research, forms an essential part of this collaboration. 

This joint initative will empower both institutions to push the boundaries of preclinical MS research. BIOMED’s academic MS expertise will support InnoSer’s pharmaceutical drug development platforms and proven success in preclinical neurology disease models, enabling more complex studies. The combined proficiency of both organizations will provide industry innovators with access to an expanded range of cellular and animal models and specialized preclinical research services, aiming to accelerate the development of novel MS drugs. 

Dr Yanick Fanton, CSO of InnoSer, further emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating: “Multiple Sclerosis is a growing field of InnoSer’s focus. We see this collaboration as a unique opportunity to provide our clients with well-established models backed by extensive research. BIOMED is uniquely suited to support us in this endeavor. ​W​e look forward to contributing further to the current ongoing efforts to find more effective treatments for this debilitating disease.”  

Prof. Dr. Niels Hellings, director of BIOMED, added: “BIOMED’s neuroimmunologists have developed and worked on several research models of Multiple Sclerosis that have shown immense potential in understanding this inflammatory neurological condition. By collaborating with InnoSer, we are confident that our research models will gain wider recognition and use, facilitating further progress in neuroimmunology and drug development, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes.” 

This MoU marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to advance MS research towards clinical application and reflects InnoSer’s ambition to help researchers progress toward this goal. Looking ahead, InnoSer and BIOMED are eager to work together to harness the full potential of cellular and animal models of MS. This collaboration will result in an end-to-end preclinical industrial research solution supported by the latest scientific knowledge integrated in the high quality and standardized services platforms of a preclinical contract research organization, providing industry innovators with essential tools to expedite their drug discovery endeavors. 

Contacts: 

InnoSer
Yanick Fanton, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
yfanton@innoserlaboratories.com 

Hasselt University/BIOMED
Prof. Dr. Niels Hellings
Director, BIOMED
niels.hellings@uhasselt.be 

About InnoSer 

Founded in 2012, InnoSer is an innovative and dynamic CRO supporting pre-clinical development of drugs from its facilities in Belgium and the Netherlands. InnoSer supports its customers in the critical steps of their drug development journey with well characterized in vitro and in vivo disease models in addition to general drug development services, allowing to uncover valuable insights into the mode of action, pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of investigational compounds. 

www.innoserlaboratories.com 

About Hasselt University/ BIOMED 

Hasselt University has built a strong reputation in multiple sclerosis (MS) research for over thirty years. The Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED) conducts research in the field of MS disease mechanisms, focusing on immunological mechanisms, myelination, and damage processes in the brain. Researchers utilize patient samples (UbiLim) and animal models. In partnership with the Rehabilitation and MS Center of Noorderhart, the University MS Center (UMSC) is an international center of expertise where advanced MS research is performed to offer the best care for individuals with MS, both now and in the future. 

https://www.uhasselt.be/en/instituten-en/biomed-en