What EPO Berlin-Buch does

EPO Berlin-Buch (legal name Experimental Pharmacology & Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH) is a German preclinical contract research organization (CRO) founded in 1997 as a spin-off from the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and headquartered at the Berlin-Buch biomedical research campus. The company specializes in oncology and immuno-oncology drug development services, with a core offering built around a portfolio of more than 600 well-characterized patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and complementary cell line-derived xenograft (CDX), syngeneic, and humanized mouse models spanning approximately 17 cancer indications. Supporting capabilities include HLA matching of 453+ PDX models for personalized immuno-oncology studies, orthotopic and metastasis models, radiation therapy services (Multirad X-Ray system, radioisotope studies), histopathology under board-certified pathologist supervision, bioinformatics and biostatistics, pharmacokinetic and toxicology studies, and 2D/3D cell-based in vitro assays with IncuCyte live-cell imaging.

The business operates on a sales-led, project-based contract research model. Revenue is generated through individually quoted studies for pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers (primary segment) and academic research institutions (secondary segment), with pricing in euros plus statutory VAT, no discount provision, 14-day payment terms, and multi-year contract cadence. Distribution is direct enterprise sales, supported by an active presence at major scientific conferences (AACR, EACR, BIO-Europe, CIMT, Swiss Biotech Day, German Cancer Congress) and an annual EPO Spring Meeting. Strategic partnerships with Taconic Bioscience (FcResolv hIL-15 NOG model, 2024), the ITCC-P4 pediatric cancer consortium, and Dynamic42 GmbH (organ-on-chip integration for glioblastoma/BBB research, 2026) reflect ongoing capability extension. The company holds AAALAC International accreditation, is privately held with no disclosed external funding or parent entity, and employs approximately 50 staff as of 2022.

Name

EPO Berlin-Buch

Legal name

Experimental Pharmacology & Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH

Website

https://epo-berlin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EPO Berlin-Buch is a German preclinical oncology CRO founded in 1997 as a spin-off from the Max Delbrück Center, offering PDX/CDX tumor modeling, immuno-oncology, orthotopic, radiation, histopathology, and bioinformatics services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Preclinical Oncology Contract Research

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

DMPK / ADME & Bioanalysis (HLAGAFAC)

Keywords

• Preclinical oncology research
• Patient-derived xenograft models
• Immuno-oncology CRO
• Contract research services
• Tumor modeling services

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin-buch

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Contract Research Services: EPO provides preclinical contract research services (CRO) in oncology and immuno-oncology. Services are quoted and contracted individually based on study designs, including PDX modeling, in vivo studies, histopathology, PK/toxicology, and bioinformatics. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts with pharmaceutical and biotech clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

EPO Berlin-Buch is a preclinical contract research organization (CRO) providing oncology and immuno-oncology drug development services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Its offerings center on patient-derived xenograft (PDX) and cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) tumor models, complemented by humanized and syngeneic immuno-oncology models, orthotopic models, radiation therapy, histopathology, pharmacokinetic/toxicology studies, cell-based in vitro assays, and bioinformatics/biostatistics services.

Product overview

EPO Berlin-Buch is a preclinical contract research organization (CRO) specializing in oncology and immuno-oncology drug development. Founded in 1997 as a spin-off from the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, the company offers an integrated portfolio of tumor modeling services built around its core offering of over 600 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) and cell line-derived (CDX) models. The portfolio includes immuno-oncology models (humanized and syngeneic), orthotopic models, and complementary services including radiation therapy, histopathology, bioinformatics/biostatistics, pharmacokinetics/toxicology, and cell-based in vitro assays. The company provides end-to-end preclinical oncology research services rather than a single product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Patient- and Cell Line-Derived Xenografts (PDX/CDX Models)
• Immuno-Oncology Models
• Orthotopic Models
• Radiation Therapy Services
• Histopathology Services
• Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Services
• Pharmacokinetic and Toxicology Studies
• Cell-Based In Vitro Assays and Molecular Analyses

Quantifiable outcome

• 45 pancreatic cancer PDX models with comprehensive genome, mutational, and HLA status characterization
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Dynamic42 GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 8 April 2026Strategic collaboration between Dynamic42 and EPO to integrate organ-on-chip technologies with preclinical glioblastoma research. The partnership connects Dynamic42's human-based BBB-on-chip model with EPO's expertise in translational oncology and access to well-characterized tumor models. First joint projects target glioblastoma and blood-brain barrier research, exploring how differences between human and non-human BBB biology influence therapeutic responses.
• Taconic BiosciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Collaboration project with Taconic Bioscience on the FcResolv hIL-15 NOG mouse model. Analyzed antibody efficacy on different tumor models in mice lacking murine Fc receptors and expressing human IL-15. Combined antibody treatment with NK cell transfer to explore antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Presented results at CIMT 2024.
• ITCC-P4 ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeep molecular characterization of pediatric cancer PDX models as part of the ITCC-P4 consortium, enabling prediction of novel personalized combination treatment options for patients with childhood cancer. EPO contributes extensive PDX modeling expertise and model characterization capabilities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Champions Oncology: Champions Oncology operates a large bank of patient-derived xenograft (Lumin PDX) and ex vivo tumor platform for preclinical oncology drug development. It directly competes with EPO in PDX-based preclinical oncology services for pharma and biotech sponsors.
• XenTech: XenTech is a French preclinical CRO specializing in patient-derived xenograft models and oncology pharmacology services for pharma and biotech clients. It is a direct European peer to EPO with comparable PDX-led service offerings.
• Crown Bioscience (JSR Life Sciences): Crown Bioscience is one of the largest pure-play preclinical oncology CROs globally, with an extensive PDX and humanized mouse model portfolio. It is the closest direct competitor to EPO Berlin-Buch in oncology PDX and immuno-oncology preclinical services.
• Oncodesign (Oncodesign Precision Medicine): Oncodesign is a French preclinical CRO offering oncology drug discovery and in-vivo pharmacology services with proprietary translational platforms. It is a direct European peer competing for oncology preclinical contracts.

Emerging players

• Taconic Biosciences: Taconic is a leading provider of genetically engineered mouse models and is an existing EPO collaboration partner on FcResolv hIL-15 NOG immuno-oncology models. It overlaps with EPO in humanized mouse model supply and immuno-oncology research tools.

Broad incumbents

• Charles River Laboratories: Charles River is a global, full-service CRO with substantial preclinical oncology, PDX, and humanized model offerings embedded within a much larger discovery and safety portfolio. It competes with EPO for preclinical oncology work but as part of a far broader life sciences service suite.
• WuXi AppTec: WuXi AppTec operates one of the largest preclinical and clinical CRO platforms globally, including oncology in-vivo pharmacology and PDX services. It overlaps with EPO on oncology preclinical study work but offers significantly broader scale and integrated biology-to-manufacturing services.
• Inotiv: Inotiv provides preclinical research models, oncology services, and contract research for pharma/biotech, including PDX and toxicology offerings. It is a broader preclinical incumbent that competes with EPO on oncology model-based services.
• Labcorp (Covance Early Development): Labcorp's Covance segment provides preclinical oncology, toxicology, and in-vivo pharmacology services within a global CRO. It competes with EPO on preclinical oncology study contracts but typically at larger enterprise scale.

Regional players

• NMI TT PharmaServices: NMI TT PharmaServices is a German-based preclinical CRO offering in-vivo pharmacology, pathology, and immuno-oncology services. It is a regional peer comparable to EPO in geography and service mix, though smaller in PDX scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epo-berlin-buch-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about EPO Berlin-Buch