What Experimentica does

Experimentica is a contract research organization (CRO) specializing in preclinical ocular drug discovery and development, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Kuopio, Finland, with operating sites in Vilnius, Lithuania, and a business development office in Marseille, France. The company serves pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic clients globally — across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific — with a portfolio of validated in vivo ocular disease models (diabetic retinopathy, dry and wet AMD, glaucoma, dry eye, retinal ischemia, retinitis pigmentosa, multiple sclerosis/EAE, and uveitis) performed in mouse, rat, and rabbit, complemented by in vitro models including a proprietary human cornea-on-a-chip on the AKITA platform that compresses permeability testing timelines from six weeks to three weeks.

Its technical stack combines in vivo and in vitro platforms with high-resolution ocular imaging (spectral-domain OCT, fundus autofluorescence), functional assessments (flash and pattern electroretinography, visual evoked potentials, optomotor reflex), molecular biology (RT-qPCR, Western blot, ELISA), histology and immunohistochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and gene therapy study support. AI-driven image analysis — including proprietary U-Net-based OCT segmentation and neural network algorithms for retinal angiogenesis quantification in flat-mount images — overlays the laboratory workflow to improve precision and throughput. Both AAALAC-accredited facilities (Finland in 2024, Lithuania in 2025) and a forthcoming GLP-compliant test facility in Kuopio (2026) underpin regulatory-grade delivery.

The business model is professional services revenue from contract research engagements, executed through direct enterprise field sales supported by scientific BD leadership in France, active participation in industry conferences (ARVO, BIO, BioEurope, BioJapan, gene therapy summits), and a US toll-free line. Pricing is quote-based, services span exploratory efficacy studies through planned GLP safety and toxicology packages, and revenue is supplemented by grant funding (notably a €3M EIC Pathfinder grant led by Experimentica in 2022 with €1M allocated directly). The company operates as a privately held Finnish limited company (Experimentica Ltd.) with a wholly owned Lithuanian subsidiary (Experimentica UAB) and reports no external private equity, venture capital, or parent ownership.

Name

Experimentica

Legal name

Experimentica Ltd.

Website

https://experimentica.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Experimentica is a privately held contract research organization founded in 2013 that provides preclinical ocular disease models, in vivo and in vitro research services, and AI-driven imaging analysis to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic clients worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Preclinical Ophthalmic CRO Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonclinical Study Management & Regulatory Writing (IND-enabling) (HLAGAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Toxicology & Safety Assessment CROs (GLP) (HLAGAAAC)

Keywords

• Preclinical ocular research
• Contract research organization
• Ophthalmic drug discovery
• Ocular disease models
• Preclinical CRO services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kuopio

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Contract Research Services: Preclinical ocular models and services provided to pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic clients on a contract basis

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Experimentica is a contract research organization (CRO) providing preclinical ocular models and laboratory services to pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic clients. Its offerings include in vivo and in vitro disease models for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, AMD, glaucoma, dry eye, uveitis, and retinal degeneration, complemented by in vivo imaging with AI-enhanced analysis, functional assessments (fERG, pERG, VEP), molecular biology, histology, pharmacokinetics, gene therapy studies, and GLP-compliant safety/toxicology testing.

Product overview

Experimentica is a contract research organization (CRO) providing preclinical ocular models and services to pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic clients. The company's portfolio consists of in vivo disease models (mouse, rat, rabbit) for conditions including diabetic retinopathy, AMD, glaucoma, dry eye, uveitis, and retinal degeneration, complemented by in vitro models including the proprietary human cornea-on-a-chip on the AKITA platform. Key service modules include in vivo imaging with AI-enhanced analysis (SD-OCT, fundus autofluorescence), functional assessments (fERG, pERG, VEP, optomotor testing), molecular biology (RT-qPCR, Western Blot, ELISA), histology and immunohistochemistry, pharmacokinetics, gene therapy studies, and GLP toxicology. The company operates AAALAC-accredited facilities in Finland and Lithuania and is expanding into GLP-compliant safety and toxicology studies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In Vivo Ocular Disease Models Preclinical in vivo models for ocular diseases including Angiogenesis, Diabetic Retinopathy, Dry AMD/Geographic Atrophy, Dry Eye, Glaucoma, Multiple Sclerosis, Retinal Ischemia, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Uveitis, and Wet AMD. Designed for pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic clients running efficacy, mechanism of action, and safety studies.
• Flash Electroretinography (fERG) Non-invasive procedure to assess retinal neuron and glial cell function by recording retinal response evoked by short light flashes. Available for mouse, rat, and rabbit in scotopic (dark-adapted) and photopic (light-adapted) modalities.
• Human Cornea-on-a-Chip Model In vitro model developed on AKITA platform using HCE-T and primary human corneal epithelial cells in a microfluidic 96-well plate. Enables accelerated drug permeability testing, reducing timelines from 6 weeks to 3 weeks.
• Desiccating Stress + Scopolamine-Induced Dry Eye Model Validated mouse model of Dry Eye Disease simulating both evaporative and aqueous-deficient subtypes. Includes corneal fluorescein staining imaging, tear volume measurements, and histological analysis of lacrimal gland infiltration.
• Sodium Iodate-Induced Retinal Degeneration Model Model where NaIO3 causes oxidative stress leading to RPE death and secondary photoreceptor degeneration. Includes fundus autofluorescence, SD-OCT, and flash electroretinography readouts.
• In Vivo Imaging Services High-resolution in vivo ocular imaging capabilities including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), and AI-enhanced image analysis for preclinical studies.
• GLP Safety and Toxicology Studies GLP-compliant safety and toxicology studies for preclinical development of ophthalmic drugs and medical technologies. Covers multiple administration routes and therapeutic modalities in rodent and non-rodent species (mouse, rat, rabbit).
• Pharmacokinetics Studies Ocular pharmacokinetic studies supporting preclinical and translational drug development programs.
• Gene Therapy Studies Specialized preclinical models and services for assessing gene therapy efficacy and safety for ophthalmic indications.
• Optomotor Reflex Testing Behavioral assessment of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in preclinical ocular disease models.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced corneal permeability study timelines from 6 weeks to 3 weeks using AKITA platform
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Pharmaron: Integrated CRO/CDMO with preclinical safety assessment, in vivo pharmacology, and ocular models. Comparable in providing IND-enabling preclinical services to global pharma with broader service breadth.
• WuXi AppTec: Global CRO with preclinical safety assessment and ophthalmic toxicology capabilities serving pharma and biotech. Competes for outsourced preclinical work but at much greater scale and with broader modality coverage.
• Charles River Laboratories: Global preclinical and clinical CRO with a dedicated ophthalmology discovery and safety assessment practice. Direct overlap with Experimentica's in vivo ocular models, imaging, and safety/toxicology services, but operating at vastly greater scale across many therapeutic areas.
• Labcorp Early Development: Large CRO offering preclinical safety assessment, ophthalmology models, and IND-enabling packages. Closest large-CRO competitor for the GLP safety/toxicology work Experimentica is launching in Kuopio.
• CeeTox (Citoxlab / Charles River): Preclinical ocular toxicology specialist integrated into the broader Charles River network. Comparable specialty capability in ocular safety assessment that competes for the same GLP toxicology work Experimentica is launching.

Direct peers

• EyeCRO: Specialty preclinical ophthalmology CRO offering ocular models, imaging, and histology services to pharma and academic clients. Closest niche competitor focused exclusively on the same therapeutic area as Experimentica.
• Seventh Wave Labs: Ophthalmology-focused preclinical CRO providing ocular efficacy, PK, and safety assessment services. Comparable specialty CRO serving pharma and device clients in ocular drug development.
• ITR Canada: Preclinical CRO specializing in ocular toxicology and ocular drug efficacy studies for ophthalmic and medical-device sponsors. Direct overlap in ocular toxicology and disease modeling services.
• Inotiv: Pure-play preclinical CRO with ophthalmology, toxicology, and specialty model capabilities acquired via Calvert Laboratories and other bolt-ons. Operates in a similar contract research model serving pharma and biotech preclinical programs.

Others

• Medpace: Mid-sized CRO focused on clinical development with growing preclinical-adjacent imaging and biomarker services. Adjacent rather than direct competitor, but a potential channel partner for sponsors needing combined preclinical-to-clinical ocular programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/experimentica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/experimentica-ltd

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Experimentica