Atuka

What Atuka does

Atuka is a preclinical contract research organization (CRO) founded in 2003 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, specializing in Parkinson's disease and related neurodegenerative disorder research. The company provides fee-for-service preclinical efficacy and translational pharmacology studies using an industry-leading portfolio of 40+ rodent and non-human primate (NHP) models, including proprietary MPTP-lesioned, AAV α-synuclein, and PFF α-synuclein platforms — notably the first CRO to offer a synucleinopathy model of PD (2008) and its NHP extension (2012). Operations span two AAALAC-accredited facilities: Toronto (rodent in vivo and in vitro labs, now at MaRS Discovery District since 2025) and Suzhou, China (NHP facility with capacity for studies using up to 150 macaques). Service lines include preclinical efficacy studies, pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies, gene therapy support (offered since 2017, with 20 biodistribution studies completed for regulatory submissions), primate cognition models, and emerging NHP dystonia models developed in partnership with the US Department of Defense (2023).

The company's revenue model is bespoke fee-for-service, with each study individually quoted based on therapeutic modality, model selection, animal numbers, endpoints, and study complexity; engagements are typically multi-year contracts. Atuka serves a diversified client base of 90+ organizations spanning large pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer, Merck, Takeda, AstraZeneca), biotechnology firms (Sinopia, Ignis Therapeutics, Maplight, Kannalife, Neurolixis, Lys Therapeutics, Adamas, Repligen, Polycore Therapeutics, Junaxo, Sea Pharma), academic institutions (Harvard, MIT, Yale, UCSF, UHN), and patient foundations (The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Cure Parkinson's Trust). Scientific leadership — led by founder and CEO Dr. Jonathan Brotchie with 30+ years in PD research — is deeply embedded in client engagements, providing study design, grant writing support, and data interpretation, which has helped partners secure over $50 million in non-dilutive funding through 150+ supported grant applications. The company does not disclose revenue publicly and has remained privately held without institutional funding rounds.

Name

Atuka

Legal name

Atuka Inc.

Website

https://atuka.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Atuka is a Toronto-based preclinical CRO providing fee-for-service Parkinson's disease and neurodegenerative disorder research using 40+ rodent and non-human primate models. It serves pharmaceutical, biotech, academic, and foundation clients globally from facilities in Canada and China.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Preclinical Contract Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Preclinical contract research
• Parkinson's disease models
• Non-human primate research
• Neuroscience CRO services
• Gene therapy studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Preclinical Contract Research Services (Fee-for-Service): Atuka generates revenue through fee-for-service preclinical research engagements. Partners — pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, academic institutions, foundations, and government agencies — pay for bespoke preclinical efficacy studies, pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies, gene therapy evaluation, surgical services, imaging, bioanalysis, and other support services. Each preclinical study is priced individually based on therapeutic mode of action, indication, model selection, and study complexity. The company does not disclose standard pricing publicly; engagements are quote-based. Services span rodent and NHP studies, with pricing varying by study scale, with large NHP studies capable of using up to 150 macaques.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Atuka is a preclinical contract research organization that designs and executes bespoke rodent and non-human primate studies for pharmaceutical, biotech, academic, foundation, and government partners developing therapeutics for Parkinson's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. The company sells fee-for-service preclinical efficacy, pharmacokinetic, biodistribution, gene therapy, imaging, bioanalysis, and surgical delivery studies, leveraging 40+ proprietary models and an AAALAC-accredited NHP facility in Suzhou, China.

Product overview

Atuka is a preclinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) specializing in neuroscience research, particularly Parkinson's disease. The company offers a unified portfolio of preclinical services built around industry-leading rodent and non-human primate (NHP) models. Core offerings include: (1) specialized NHP and rodent models for Parkinson's disease and movement disorders; (2) primate cognition models for cognitive impairment studies; (3) gene therapy support services including biodistribution and pharmacodynamic studies; (4) pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies for small molecules and biologics; and (5) research publications including the Discovery Series white papers on emerging therapeutic targets. Atuka operates AAALAC-accredited facilities in Toronto, Canada and Suzhou, China, with capacity for up to 150 macaques. The company is EQIPD certified and has collaborated with over 90 organizations including pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, charitable foundations, and universities. Since 2003, Atuka has evaluated more than 300 potential therapeutics, with over 30 progressing to clinical trials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Non-Human Primate (NHP) Models of Parkinson's Disease Industry-leading NHP models for Parkinson's disease including MPTP-lesioned primates (early or advanced disease), dyskinesia models, AAV α-synuclein overexpressing models, and chronic L-DOPA treated models. Atuka has conducted primate Parkinson's studies with over 100 macaques within a single study. These services are sold to pharmaceutical and biotech partners needing highly predictive primate efficacy data.
• Rodent Models of Parkinson's Disease Well-characterized rodent models of Parkinson's disease including AAV α-synuclein, PFF α-synuclein, MPTP-lesioned mice, 6-OHDA lesion rats (partial and bilateral), and L-DOPA treated models for dyskinesia studies. Sold to pharma, biotech, and academic partners requiring preclinical efficacy data at rodent scale.
• Primate Cognition Models Non-human primate cognitive impairment and dementia models including normal young adult macaques, scopolamine-treated models of Alzheimer's cognitive deficits, normal-aged macaques (20-25 years old), and chronic low-dose MPTP-treated macaques. Cognitive tests include Paired Associative Learning (PAL), Delayed Matching to Sample (DMTS), Five-choice Serial Reaction Time (5-CSRT), Variable Delayed Response (VDR), Attentional Set Shifting (ID/ED), Continuous Performance Task (CPT), and Object Retrieval Task. Sold to partners developing therapeutics for cognitive deficits in Parkinson's, ADHD, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia.
• Gene Therapy Preclinical Services Preclinical gene therapy services including pharmacodynamic and biodistribution studies, with 20 biodistribution studies supporting regulatory submissions. Capabilities cover rodent and NHP studies, access to large numbers of NHPs of both sexes and various ages, wide range of administration routes (PO, IV, IM, SC, IT, ICM), neurosurgical direct injection into parenchyma for delivery to discrete brain regions, in-life assessments, biofluid collections, in-life imaging, histological services, tissue collection including subbrain regions, behavioral and postmortem endpoints, and neutralizing antibody analysis. Sold to gene therapy developers requiring preclinical evidence for IND-enabling submissions.
• Preclinical Efficacy and Translational Pharmacology Studies
• Pharmacokinetic and Biodistribution Studies

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 300 potential therapeutics evaluated in preclinical studies, with over 80 in NHP models and more than 30 programs advancing to clinical trials.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, notable and minor.

• iQure PharmacoreStrategic or Co-development PartneriQure Pharma, a clinical-stage biotech company based in Princeton, New Jersey, is collaborating with Atuka Inc. and the University of Padova on its EAAT2 modulator program (iQ-007) for Parkinson's disease. The collaboration is funded by a research grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Atuka contributes preclinical expertise, study design, and execution in relevant disease models to demonstrate correlation between extracellular glutamate regulation and functional outcomes, aiming to identify clinical biomarkers.
• University of PadovacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Padova is collaborating with iQure Pharma and Atuka Inc. on the EAAT2 modulator program (iQ-007) for Parkinson's disease, funded by The Michael J. Fox Foundation. The university contributes academic research expertise to the program alongside Atuka's preclinical capabilities.
• The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMJFF is a leading funder and collaborator in Parkinson's disease research. Atuka has a long history of working with MJFF to obtain grants, develop new models, and participate in MJFF-sponsored research consortia. Notable collaborations include the development and extension of the synucleinopathy model to NHPs (2012, in partnership with MJFF and the Weston Family Foundation). Atuka has helped secure over $50M in MJFF-aligned non-dilutive funding for partners and Atuka-led projects.
• PfizermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtuka has collaborated with Pfizer on preclinical evaluation of potential Parkinson's disease therapeutics using its industry-leading rodent and NHP models. Pfizer represents one of the major pharmaceutical companies in Atuka's partner network.
• MerckmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtuka has collaborated with Merck on preclinical evaluation of potential Parkinson's disease therapeutics using its rodent and NHP models.
• TakedamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtuka has collaborated with Takeda on preclinical evaluation of potential Parkinson's disease therapeutics.
• Kannalife SciencesnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtuka collaborated with Kannalife Sciences on preclinical evaluation of KLS-13019, a dual-action neuroprotective compound for Parkinson's disease, funded by a USD 1.5M MJFF grant. Atuka contributed study design and execution using relevant in vivo models.
• Sinopia BiosciencesnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerSinopia Biosciences has partnered with Atuka on multiple preclinical studies. CEO Iman Famili cited Atuka's expertise in Parkinson's disease, deep knowledge of the field, insightful study design feedback, reliable execution, and attention to detail as critical to their drug discovery and development activities.
• Lys TherapeuticsnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtuka has collaborated with Lys Therapeutics on preclinical research in Parkinson's disease.
• NeurolixisnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtuka has collaborated with Neurolixis on preclinical research in Parkinson's disease.
• AdamasnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtuka has collaborated with Adamas on preclinical research in Parkinson's disease.
• RepligennotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtuka has collaborated with Repligen on preclinical research.
• Polycore TherapeuticsnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtuka has collaborated with Polycore Therapeutics on preclinical research.
• University Health Network (UHN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUHN is Toronto's world-renowned neuroscience centre of excellence where Atuka is embedded. Atuka collaborates with UHN researchers and has received Weston Family Foundation funding (CAD 1.5M) to support UHN's work on trehalose for Parkinson's disease. The relationship provides Atuka with access to academic scientific expertise and clinical insights that inform its preclinical programs.
• Yale UniversitynotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtuka has collaborated with Yale University on preclinical studies in Parkinson's disease as part of its network of academic institution partnerships.
• Harvard UniversitynotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtuka has collaborated with Harvard University on preclinical studies in Parkinson's disease.
• MITnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtuka has collaborated with MIT on preclinical studies in Parkinson's disease.
• UCSFnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtuka has collaborated with UCSF on preclinical studies in Parkinson's disease.
• Cure Parkinson's TrustnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCure Parkinson's Trust (CPT) is a UK-based patient foundation that has partnered with Atuka on Parkinson's disease research, part of Atuka's network of advocacy group and patient foundation collaborations.
• Sea PharmaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSea Pharma, an early-stage startup, has collaborated with Atuka on preclinical research in Parkinson's disease.
• Ignis TherapeuticsnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerIgnis Therapeutics has partnered with Atuka on preclinical studies. CSO Kevin Fang cited Atuka's expertise in Parkinson's disease, model selection and design capabilities, and high-quality data delivery as exceeding expectations in terms of quality, timeliness, and cost.
• Maplight TherapeuticsnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaplight Therapeutics partnered with Atuka on preclinical studies. VP Scientific Communications Kim Thompson cited Atuka's deep expertise as an asset to their programs.
• AstraZeneca (AZ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAstraZeneca has collaborated with Atuka on preclinical studies in Parkinson's disease, representing one of the major pharmaceutical companies in Atuka's partner network.
• JunaxominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJunaxo has collaborated with Atuka on preclinical research.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Labcorp Drug Development (formerly Covance): One of the largest global CROs with preclinical, clinical, and central laboratory capabilities, including non-human primate programs. Comparable as a broad preclinical services incumbent that competes with Atuka for outsourced neuroscience work, though its Parkinson's-specific depth is far less.
• Eurofins Scientific: A global life sciences testing and CRO conglomerate with preclinical and central laboratory capabilities. Comparable to Atuka as a buyer/competitor for outsourced preclinical research contracts, though its Parkinson's-specific NHP focus is limited.
• Wuxi AppTec: China-based global CRO/CDMO with substantial preclinical and NHP capabilities. Directly comparable to Atuka's Suzhou-based NHP operations and gene therapy biodistribution services, while operating at much greater scale across modalities and geographies.
• Charles River Laboratories: A large, publicly traded preclinical CRO offering a broad portfolio including NHP safety/efficacy studies, gene therapy support, and CNS research models. Comparable to Atuka as an outsourced preclinical services provider, though Atuka is far more specialized in Parkinson's and primate neuroscience.

Direct peers

• Crown Bioscience (JSR Life Sciences): A preclinical CRO with deep translational pharmacology and NHP capabilities spanning oncology and CNS indications. Most directly comparable to Atuka in terms of model-driven preclinical efficacy services, with overlapping customer base in pharma/biotech sponsors.
• Motac Neuroscience: UK-based preclinical CRO specializing in NHP models of Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative disorders, founded by the same academic lineage (Brotchie and Crossman) that gave rise to Atuka. The closest historical and operational analog to Atuka's primate PD research business.

Emerging players

• Psychogenics: A preclinical neuroscience-focused CRO specializing in rodent behavioral and translational CNS models for psychiatric and neurodegenerative drug discovery. Comparable to Atuka's bespoke, neuroscience-led preclinical service model, though centered on rodents rather than NHPs.
• VivoPharm: An Australia-based preclinical CRO offering oncology and CNS-focused in vivo efficacy and PK studies. Comparable as a smaller, specialized preclinical services competitor focused on translational models, with similar bespoke engagement model to Atuka.
• Sylics (Syne Research): A Netherlands-based preclinical neuroscience CRO offering rodent behavioral phenotyping and translational CNS research services. Comparable to Atuka's specialized neuroscience CRO positioning, though with a rodent (rather than NHP) focus.
• Biocytogen: China-headquartered preclinical CRO with NHP pharmacology and gene therapy capabilities, including neurodegenerative disease programs. Comparable to Atuka in NHP-led preclinical services and Chinese operational footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/atuka-inc

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Atuka