What ETAP-Lab does

ETAP-LAB is an independent French preclinical contract research organization (CRO) founded in 1991 as a spin-off of the Laboratory of Biology and Behavioral Physiology at UHP Nancy and headquartered in Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy. The company provides efficacy testing and non-GLP preclinical pharmacology services that span the drug-discovery continuum — from in vitro lead optimization through in vivo POC, PK/PD, and non-regulatory safety assessment — evaluating small molecules, antibodies, biotherapies, cell therapies, medical devices, and nutraceutical ingredients for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, nutraceutical, and academic sponsors. Since 2014, under CEO Nicolas Violle and a restructured management team, the firm has roughly sextupled headcount to 39 employees and tripled revenue (from €2M in 2019 to over €4M in 2023), combining organic growth with the October 2023 acquisition of cardiovascular specialist SYNCROSOME in Marseille.

The company operates through four specialized service brands — BRAINXPLORE (CNS/neurodegenerative), SKINAXIS (dermatology/wound healing), STROK@LLIANCE (neurovascular/stroke), and SYNCROSOME (cardiovascular) — each backed by proprietary technology platforms. Differentiated capabilities include a microfluidic brain-on-chip platform in SBS-formatted plates, know-how for reproducible production of human pathological oligomers (Aβ, α-synuclein, Tau, TDP-43), AI-enhanced high-content imaging (Revvity Operetta CLS), preclinical medical imaging (7T MRI, 3T MRI, hybrid MRI-PET, MPI) accessed through the CYCERON imaging platform, a whole-blood ROTEM hematology lab, and full behavioral assessment suites. ETAP-LAB holds ISO 9001 certification for its Nancy and Caen facilities and is authorized to handle Class 1 GM and immunodeficient rodent strains under EU Directive 2010/63/EU.

Revenue is generated through project-based B2B contracts priced per study, with a direct enterprise sales model featuring dedicated Study Directors and a 48-hour inquiry response time. Marketing is concentrated on scientific credibility channels — peer-reviewed publications, conference posters (e.g., BIO International 2026 in San Diego), LinkedIn, Gircor industry engagement, and quarterly newsletters — rather than mass-market campaigns. The company is privately held as SA ETAP with no disclosed institutional investors; growth has been financed organically plus a single disclosed acquisition, supplemented by France 2030 program selection (BIO-DIAMOND 2022, Bpifrance Accélérateur 2024) for non-dilutive capability and international expansion support.

Name

ETAP-Lab

Legal name

SA ETAP

Website

https://etap-lab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ETAP-LAB is an independent French preclinical CRO providing integrated in vitro and in vivo pharmacology services across neurology, dermatology, neurovascular/stroke, and cardiovascular therapeutics for pharma, biotech, medical device, nutraceutical, and academic sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Preclinical Contract Research Services

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Preclinical CROs (Discovery/Pharmacology/DMPK) (HLAGAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

In Vivo Pharmacology (Efficacy/PD Models) (HLAGAFAA), Toxicology & Safety Assessment CROs (GLP) (HLAGAAAC)

Keywords

• Preclinical CRO
• Pharmacology services
• Drug efficacy testing
• Contract research
• Preclinical studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Vandoeuvre-lès-nancy

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Preclinical CRO Services: Contract research services providing efficacy testing and preclinical pharmacology to pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and nutraceutical industries. Services support drug discovery phases from in vitro lead optimization through non-GLP animal studies (POC, PK/PD, non-regulatory safety). Revenue generated through project-based contracts for study design, execution, and reporting.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ETAP-LAB is an independent preclinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing efficacy testing and preclinical pharmacology services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutraceutical, and medical device industries. Services span drug discovery phases from in vitro lead optimization through non-GLP animal studies (proof-of-concept, PK/PD, non-regulatory safety), evaluating small molecules, antibodies, biotherapies, cell therapies, medical devices, and nutraceuticals. The offering is organized under four specialized service brands: BRAINXPLORE (neurology/CNS), SKINAXIS (dermatology), STROK@LLIANCE (neurovascular/stroke), and SYNCROSOME (cardiovascular).

Product overview

ETAP-LAB is an independent preclinical CRO providing comprehensive pharmacology services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and nutraceutical industries. The company operates under a unified umbrella brand architecture with four specialized service brands: BRAINXPLORE (neurology/CNS with focus on neurodegenerative diseases), SKINAXIS (dermatology and inflammatory skin conditions), STROK@LLIANCE (neurovascular and stroke research), and SYNCROSOME (cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary pathologies). Supporting these brands, ETAP-LAB offers integrated technology platforms including High Content Imaging, Brain-on-Chip, preclinical medical imaging, and comprehensive analytical services, enabling end-to-end preclinical research from in vitro cell systems through in vivo animal studies to PK/PD and safety assessments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BRAINXPLORE: Neurology and CNS preclinical services brand offering integrated range of services for neurodegenerative diseases and behavioral pharmacology, from in vitro models to in vivo studies.
• SKINAXIS
• STROK@LLIANCE
• SYNCROSOME

Products and services

• BRAINXPLORE Service brand dedicated to CNS and neurodegenerative diseases, offering integrated in vitro and in vivo preclinical pharmacology services for conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, including behavioral pharmacology assessments. Targeted at pharmaceutical and biotech clients developing CNS drug candidates.
• SKINAXIS Service brand specializing in dermatology for preclinical evaluation of drug efficacy and medical devices. Offers models for inflammatory skin diseases, wound healing, skin grafting, and dermal toxicity testing, with over 20 years of expertise. Targeted at pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device developers.
• STROK@LLIANCE Service brand focused on neurovascular pathologies and stroke, offering translational models from in vitro screening on human blood to complex animal models with integrated comorbidities, combined with advanced imaging capabilities.
• SYNCROSOME Service brand specializing in cardiovascular pharmacology with over 25 years of expertise, offering models for cardiovascular, cardiometabolic, cardiopulmonary, and thrombotic diseases. Targeted at pharmaceutical and biotech clients developing cardiovascular therapeutics.
• In Vitro Efficacy Studies Cell culture-based efficacy studies including models of neurodegenerative diseases or stroke using primary neurons or human iPSCs, brain-on-chip models combined with high-content imaging, and hematology studies on whole human blood for thrombolytics and anticoagulants evaluation.
• In Vivo Efficacy Studies Efficacy studies using gold-standard and innovative rodent and pig models reproducing key pathophysiological mechanisms of target human diseases, with translational readouts including medical imaging, behavior, and histology to support regulatory dossiers.
• PK/PD Services Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics studies compatible with all in vivo models, including neuro-PK studies evaluating compound bioavailability in the brain, supported by a network of trusted partners for analytical methods and assays.
• Non-Regulatory Safety Studies Specialist safety assessment for drugs in the neurovascular field, including hemorrhagic transformation risk, intracranial and peripheral hemorrhage risk, and pharmacological interactions with fibrinolytic or antithrombotic treatments; ETAP-LAB has supported INDs for numerous molecules via these studies.
• Analytical Services Biological analysis services including immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, histology, immunoassays (ELISA, ELLA Simple Plex), Western blotting, plus coordinated outsourced services for mass spectrometry, RNA-Seq, and flow cytometry.
• Scientific Consulting Scientific advisory services covering model selection, protocol design, technical and scientific responses to drug evaluation agencies, research promotion (publications, posters, presentations), and independent result evaluation through a network of scientific KOLs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Customer satisfaction rating of 9.3/10 (100% CSAT 2024)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 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

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PhIND Laboratory (INSERM/UniCaen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Public-private partnership for stroke research. STROK@LLIANCE was created as a partnership with PhIND laboratory (UMR-1237, INSERM/UniCaen) led by Prof. Denis Vivien to industrialize innovative stroke models developed by academic research and make them accessible for routine CRO studies. Located next to CYCERON imaging center and BB@C institute in one of the world's most dynamic stroke research ecosystems.
• CYCERON Imaging PlatformcoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing partnership with CYCERON imaging platform in Caen, located directly next to ETAP-LAB facilities. Provides privileged access to state-of-the-art medical imaging tools including 7T MRI, 3T MRI, hybrid MRI-PET, and MPI within an internationally recognized infrastructure.
• French Blood Establishment (EFS)coreTechnology or IntegrationAgreement with EFS ensuring convenient local access to human blood samples for hemostasis and thrombolysis research applications in hematology laboratory.
• BB@C InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated next to BB@C institute as part of the dynamic stroke research ecosystem in Caen, France.
• GircorminorOthersETAP-LAB is a member of Gircor and participates in industry discussions on preclinical evaluation challenges, transparency in animal research, and 3R principles application.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Sygnature Discovery: Integrated drug discovery CRO with growing preclinical capabilities in CNS and inflammatory diseases. Comparable mid-sized competitor with growing international footprint.

Direct peers

• Porsolt: France-based preclinical CRO specializing in pharmacology and safety pharmacology services. Directly competes with ETAP-Lab in CNS and behavioral pharmacology with similar in vitro/in vivo capabilities.
• InnoSer: European preclinical CRO offering in vivo efficacy and safety studies in neurology, cardiovascular, and metabolic disease models. Comparable mid-sized competitor with overlapping target customers.
• Neuroservices-Alliance: Preclinical CRO specialized in CNS, pain, and neurodegenerative disease research with electrophysiology and behavioral readouts. Closely overlaps with ETAP-Lab's BRAINXPLORE offering.

Broad incumbents

• Wuxi AppTec: Global CRO/CDMO with preclinical pharmacology and safety assessment services across multiple therapeutic areas including CNS and cardiovascular. Operates at significantly larger scale than ETAP-Lab.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global bioanalytical and contract research services provider with extensive preclinical testing capabilities. Overlapping offerings in pharmacology and analytical services for pharma/biotech clients.
• Charles River Laboratories: Global CRO offering preclinical research services including CNS, cardiovascular, and dermatology models. Much larger scale across all therapeutic areas and offers integrated IND-enabling studies that ETAP-Lab does not.
• Evotec: European CRO/CDMO with substantial preclinical neuroscience, stroke, and inflammatory disease operations. Competes across CNS, dermatology, and cardiovascular therapeutic areas at much larger scale.
• Curia: Global CDMO/CRO offering preclinical research and development services across multiple therapeutic areas. Broader incumbent competing for pharma/biotech preclinical outsourcing budgets.
• Pharmaron: Global CRO providing preclinical drug discovery and development services including in vivo pharmacology across multiple therapeutic areas. Larger-scale alternative for pharma/biotech sponsors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/etap-lab

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 ETAP-Lab