Ethos Discovery
Ethos Discovery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs prospective clinical trials in companion animals with naturally occurring diseases across six research programs (hemangiosarcoma, CNS, surgery, dysbiosis, novel therapeutics, sepsis), funded primarily by a $10M NVA endowment and donations, and executed through a network of up to 140 Ethos Veterinary Health hospitals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersWoburn, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Ethos Discovery does
Ethos Discovery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit scientific incubator founded in December 2016 by clinicians affiliated with Ethos Veterinary Health and headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts. The organization conducts prospective clinical trials in companion animals with naturally occurring diseases — primarily dogs, cats, and exotic companion mammals — as an alternative to conventional preclinical animal models such as induced-disease mouse studies. Its work is organized across six scientific programs: Hemangiosarcoma, Inflammatory CNS Disease, Innovations in Surgery, Intestinal Dysbiosis, Novel Therapeutics, and Sepsis. Active studies include ETHOS-PUSH (genomically-matched treatment for hemangiosarcoma), CHAMP (hemangiosarcoma molecular profiling identifying four genomic subtypes), MIMIC (minimally invasive metastasectomy for osteosarcoma), Chronic Enteropathy (probiotic therapy), CosMyc 01 (MYC inhibition), STEEP (mesenchymal stem cell therapy for NME in pugs), BONES (osteosarcoma biobanking), and FICUSS (feline idiopathic cystitis).
The business and operating model is grant- and donation-funded rather than commercial. Cash inflows come from philanthropic donations (individuals, foundations, corporations), competitive scientific and small business grants, and in-kind administrative support from Ethos Veterinary Health valued at approximately $1,000,000 per year. The single largest contribution to date is a $10 million donation from National Veterinary Associates (NVA) in August 2022, which seeded the organization's endowment. Per-program annual budgets range from $200,000 to $1,000,000. Pet owners do not pay for clinical trial participation; study-related diagnostics and procedures are covered, and many studies include stipends up to $4,500. Commercial value flows indirectly: results are shared without restriction to parties interested in human health commercialization, and select for-profit partners (e.g., Chou2 Pharma for cannabinoid epilepsy therapeutics; LexaGene for the MiQLab pneumonia diagnostic panel) co-fund or co-develop specific programs.
Ethos Discovery serves three customer segments: pet owners whose animals have conditions matching its scientific priorities; pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostic developers seeking translational validation; and academic and cross-species researchers. Trial enrollment is generated through the Ethos Veterinary Health hospital network of up to 140 sites across U.S. Pacific, Midwest/Mountain, and East Coast regions, supplemented by an Ambassador program, an online inquiry funnel, and an international collaboration network of more than 50 partners in five countries. Clinical validation outputs include an over-95% post-splenectomy survival rate in prospective HSA trials (vs. historical rates as low as 70%) and a STEEP trial stem-cell response in necrotizing meningoencephalitis.
Ethos Discovery firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ethos Discovery
- Legal name
- Ethos Discovery
- Website
- https://ethosdiscovery.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Ethos Discovery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs prospective clinical trials in companion animals with naturally occurring diseases across six research programs (hemangiosarcoma, CNS, surgery, dysbiosis, novel therapeutics, sepsis), funded primarily by a $10M NVA endowment and donations, and executed through a network of up to 140 Ethos Veterinary Health hospitals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ethos Discovery industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Veterinary Clinical Research Services
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Clinical Research, Trials & Translational Services (Veterinary Regenerative) (HLAMANAL)
Keywords
Where Ethos Discovery is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Woburn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ethos Discovery business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Philanthropic Donations: Tax-deductible donations from private individuals, foundations, and corporations. Donations support clinical research into complex diseases in pets with naturally occurring conditions, administrative and personnel costs, and project funding.
- Competitive Scientific and Small Business Grants: Funding sourced through competitive scientific and small business grant programs, constituting a significant portion of project funding alongside philanthropic donations.
- In-Kind Support from Ethos Veterinary Health: Ethos Veterinary Health provides in-kind donations estimated at $1,000,000 per year supporting administrative functions including legal, compliance, strategic, and operational elements. These seed funds enable other donations to be applied directly to research projects.
- Major Endowment Donation: NVA contributed a $10 million donation to Ethos Discovery, serving as a foundation for the organization's endowment fund and providing significant ongoing funding for research projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time | Free clinical trial participation with all study-related costs covered |
| Other | One time | Subsidized or free participation with additional financial incentives |
| Other | One time | Subsidized surgical study with partial cost coverage |
| Other | One time | Discounted surgical care for enrolled French Bulldogs |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ethos Discovery product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ethos Discovery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit scientific incubator that runs prospective veterinary clinical trials in companion animals with naturally occurring diseases across six research programs (Hemangiosarcoma, Inflammatory CNS Disease, Innovations in Surgery, Intestinal Dysbiosis, Novel Therapeutics, and Sepsis). It collaborates with a network of over 50 scientific partners across five countries and leverages up to 140 Ethos Veterinary Health hospitals to enroll patients, collect biospecimens, and validate novel diagnostics and therapeutics intended to benefit both veterinary and human medicine. Clinical study results are provided free of charge and without restriction to parties interested in commercialization for human health.
Product overview
Ethos Discovery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit scientific incubator that conducts veterinary clinical research and clinical trials. Rather than a traditional software product company, Ethos Discovery operates research programs across six main scientific areas: Hemangiosarcoma, Inflammatory CNS Disease, Innovations in Surgery, Intestinal Dysbiosis, Novel Therapeutics, and Sepsis. These programs encompass multiple active clinical trials including ETHOS-PUSH for hemangiosarcoma, MIMIC for osteosarcoma, chronic enteropathy studies, and others. The organization collaborates with Ethos Veterinary Health's network of hospitals to conduct studies in pets with naturally occurring diseases, with the goal of developing diagnostics and treatments that benefit both veterinary and human medicine.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hemangiosarcoma Program A scientific program focused on canine hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer in dogs. Includes clinical trials such as ETHOS-PUSH, the CHAMP molecular profiling study, and development of liquid biopsy diagnostics and the STAMP tissue-based molecular prognosis test to enable biologically distinct therapeutic approaches and personalized treatment selection.
- Inflammatory CNS Disease Program A research program focused on necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) in pugs and other small breed dogs, investigating mesenchymal stem cell therapy (STEEP trial) and genomic markers for early diagnosis and treatment of this inflammatory central nervous system disease.
- Innovations in Surgery Program A research program developing and refining minimally invasive surgical techniques (arthroscopy, laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, interventional radiology) to minimize pain, complications, and morbidity while maximizing patient recovery in companion animals.
- Intestinal Dysbiosis Program A research program investigating the relationship between intestinal microbiome alterations and non-GI diseases including cancer, immune-mediated conditions, and organ health issues, with goals to develop blood-based diagnostic tests and novel treatments such as a three-microbe probiotic therapeutic.
- Novel Therapeutics Program A research program developing novel therapeutics for veterinary medicine, including CBD for epilepsy and improved formulations of mycophenolate and posaconazole, in collaboration with Ethos Compounding Pharmacy.
- Sepsis Program A research program focused on improving sepsis diagnosis and prognosis in dogs, including studies on procalcitonin biomarkers and sepsis risk in chemotherapy-induced neutropenia patients.
- ETHOS-PUSH (Precision Medicine Umbrella Study for Hemangiosarcoma) A precision medicine clinical trial evaluating genomically-matched treatments for hemangiosarcoma in dogs. Phase 1 covers hemoabdomen/splenectomy management and Phase 2 covers hemangiosarcoma treatment with novel drugs selected on the basis of tumor molecular subtype from the CHAMP study. Open enrollment to pet owners whose dogs present with splenic tumors and hemangiosarcoma.
- MIMIC (Minimally Invasive Metastasectomy In Canines) A clinical trial investigating minimally invasive surgical treatment (thoracoscopy with miniature chest wall incisions and video camera assistance) for canine osteosarcoma that has metastasized to the lungs, intended to reduce morbidity compared to open thoracotomy.
- Chronic Enteropathy Study A clinical trial comparing diet plus a novel three-microbe probiotic therapy (Peptacetobacter hiranonis, Megamonas funiformis, Enterococcus faecium) versus diet alone for managing chronic enteropathy and diarrhea in dogs. All study-related costs are covered and participants receive a Purina HA diet for the study duration.
- FICUSS Study (Feline Idiopathic Cystitis) A sample collection clinical study to characterize the underlying pathophysiology of feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), intended to support development of novel diagnostic tests and targeted therapies for the condition.
- BONES (Biobanking Osteosarcoma as a Nexus for Evaluation and Staging) A biobanking study creating a repository of tissue and blood samples from dogs with osteosarcoma to advance bone cancer research in both dogs and humans. Enrolled participants receive approximately $5,000 in value covering pre-surgical bloodwork, thoracic radiographs, surgery/histopathology credits, and follow-up imaging.
- CosMyc 01 (Canine MYC Inhibition Study) A prospective multicenter dose-finding clinical study evaluating the pharmacokinetics and short-term tolerability of OMO-103, a novel peptide MYC inhibitor, in dogs with cancer. Open enrollment with additional study-related compensation for participating pet owners.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 95% of dogs survived to discharge following splenectomy in Ethos Discovery's prospective hemangiosarcoma trials, compared to historical rates as low as 70%
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Ethos Discovery
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ethos Discovery technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Ethos Discovery partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Chou2 Pharma LLCcoreChou2 Pharma partnered with Ethos Discovery to evaluate pharmacokinetics of a potential new proprietary animal drug formulation for treating idiopathic epilepsy in dogs, utilizing Chou2 Pharma's precision cannabinoid formulating platform. A subsequent proof-of-concept efficacy study in dogs with epilepsy is planned. Dr. Khanna leads Ethos Discovery's involvement, with CEO Brian Segebrecht noting the partnership as critical to Chou2 Pharma's goal of treating underserved therapeutic needs in pets.
- Ethos Veterinary HealthflagshipEthos Discovery was created by doctors associated with Ethos Veterinary Health and maintains a close operational relationship. Ethos Veterinary Health provides in-kind donations estimated at $1,000,000 per year covering administrative functions (legal, compliance, strategic, operational). All Board and executive leadership members of Ethos Veterinary Health are individual donors to Ethos Discovery. The hospital network provides access to clinical trials and patients with naturally occurring disease.
- LexaGene Holdings Inc.coreLexaGene partnered with Ethos Discovery to develop a pneumonia panel to expand the utility of the MiQLab automated multiplex PCR diagnostic instrument in veterinary diagnostics. Ethos Discovery collected respiratory samples and agreed to send them to LexaGene for analytical evaluation of the panel. Ethos Discovery also conducted a clinical evaluation of the pneumonia panel on their purchased MiQLab. Dr. Khanna commented that rapid point-of-care diagnostics would significantly improve outcomes for veterinary patients.
- Vuja De SciencesminorDr. Chand Khanna, Board Chairman of Ethos Discovery, was appointed to the Board of Directors of Vuja De Sciences, a biotechnology startup developing cancer metastasis treatments. This cross-board relationship connects Ethos Discovery to cutting-edge human cancer drug development efforts.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ethos Discovery competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Animal Clinical Investigation: Contract research organization founded by Ethos Discovery's founder Dr. Chand Khanna, focused on complex medical conditions in pets; operates an overlapping investigator network conducting veterinary clinical trials with industry sponsors.
- Morris Animal Foundation: Long-standing 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds veterinary and animal health research, including comparative oncology and clinical studies in companion animals; competes for the same donor dollars and scientific priorities.
- PetDx: Veterinary liquid biopsy company whose OncoK9 multi-cancer early detection test for dogs overlaps with Ethos Discovery's planned hemangiosarcoma liquid biopsy and biomarker discovery efforts in canine oncology diagnostics.
- AKC Canine Health Foundation: Nonprofit funding body that supports canine health research including cancer, immunology, and neurology studies; competing foundation for academic and clinical investigators publishing in the same veterinary research space.
- Volition Veterinary: Subsidiary of VolitionRx developing Nu.Q Vet cancer screening and other veterinary diagnostics, directly comparable to Ethos Discovery's diagnostic development programs (e.g., STAMP liquid biopsy, biospecimen biomarker discovery).
- One Health Company: Comparative oncology startup running prospective clinical trials in dogs with naturally occurring cancers to inform both veterinary and human oncology drug development; competes directly for the same pharma/biotech translational partner pipeline.
- FidoCure: Precision veterinary oncology company offering genomic testing and targeted therapies for dogs with cancer; overlaps on canine cancer molecular subtyping and personalized treatment that Ethos Discovery pursues through CHAMP/ETHOS-PUSH.
Broad incumbents
- Antech Diagnostics: Part of Mars Petcare, operates the largest U.S. veterinary reference laboratory network serving general practices and specialty hospitals; broad incumbent in the same clinical-diagnostics and biomarker-validation domain.
- IDEXX Laboratories: Dominant veterinary diagnostics and reference laboratory company providing in-clinic analyzers and specialty lab services; an established incumbent whose diagnostic and reference lab capabilities overlap with Ethos Discovery's translational diagnostic ambitions.
- BluePearl Science: Research and clinical trials arm of the BluePearl specialty and emergency veterinary hospital network; offers a comparable specialty-hospital-driven pipeline for prospective veterinary clinical research.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ethos Discovery social profiles
Digital presenceEthos Discovery financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ethos Discovery leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Ethos Discovery funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ethos Discovery M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ethos Discovery
What does Ethos Discovery do?
Ethos Discovery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit scientific incubator that runs prospective veterinary clinical trials in companion animals with naturally occurring diseases across six research programs (Hemangiosarcoma, Inflammatory CNS Disease, Innovations in Surgery, Intestinal Dysbiosis, Novel Therapeutics, and Sepsis). It collaborates with a network of over 50 scientific partners across five countries and leverages up to 140 Ethos Veterinary Health hospitals to enroll patients, collect biospecimens, and validate novel diagnostics and therapeutics intended to benefit both veterinary and human medicine. Clinical study results are provided free of charge and without restriction to parties interested in commercialization for human health.
Is Ethos Discovery a public or private company?
Ethos Discovery is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ethos Discovery founded?
Ethos Discovery was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Ethos Discovery based?
Ethos Discovery is headquartered in Woburn, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ethos Discovery make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Philanthropic Donations are the primary driver. The others are competitive Scientific and Small Business Grants, in-Kind Support from Ethos Veterinary Health and major Endowment Donation.
Who are Ethos Discovery's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Animal Clinical Investigation, Morris Animal Foundation, PetDx, AKC Canine Health Foundation, Volition Veterinary, One Health Company and FidoCure. Broad incumbents are Antech Diagnostics, IDEXX Laboratories and BluePearl Science.
Does Ethos Discovery have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ethos Discovery.
What industry is Ethos Discovery in?
Ethos Discovery's product category is Veterinary Clinical Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAMANAL, Clinical Research, Trials & Translational Services (Veterinary Regenerative). Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 8731.