What Preclinics does

Preclinics GmbH is a privately held preclinical contract research organization headquartered in Potsdam, Germany, operating five facilities across Germany (Potsdam, Bruchhausen-Vilsen, Eystrup) and Italy (Parma) via three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Behring Campus Eystrup GmbH (veterinary research), preclinics certified products GmbH (virus-like particles, pseudoviruses, recombinant proteins), and preclinics Italia s.r.l. (VHH engineering and E. coli/yeast expression). Founded in 2007, the company specializes in preclinical drug development services spanning pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics studies, vaccination studies, biodistribution analysis, in vivo imaging (bioluminescence and µCT), and bioanalytical services using MSD/ECLIA, ddPCR, flow cytometry, ELISA, and ELISpot platforms.

The company's technological core is organized around four service pillars. First, a vertically integrated custom antibody development platform covering recombinant, polyclonal, and camelid VHH/nanobody work, leveraging a 36,000 sqm research farm housing 100+ New World camelids (llamas, alpacas, huarizos) plus small ruminants and poultry. Second, a bioanalytical stack for genomics, cell biology, and protein analysis with high-sensitivity multiplex capabilities. Third, a research instruments line anchored by the proprietary REVOLYZER® voluntary wheel running assay system (in operation since 2007 with 200+ studies completed) plus custom-built imaging devices. Fourth, a licensed Pichia GlycoSwitch® yeast expression platform acquired in May 2024, enabling production of proteins with controlled, human-like glycosylation.

Preclinics generates revenue through project-based fee-for-service contracts with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic and research institutions, and other CROs requiring specialized preclinical capabilities. All engagements require direct sales contact (website inquiry forms, email, phone) and custom quotations; pricing is non-public and gated behind a pricelist download form requiring institutional contact details. The GTM motion is exclusively sales-led with no self-serve or marketplace channels. Government grants from BMBF, BMWK, ERDF, and the State of Brandenburg under programs such as ProFIT and ZIM-Kooperationsprojekte provide non-dilutive co-funding for R&D platform development but are not the primary revenue stream. Founders Jonas Füner (CEO) and Sonia Weese (CFO) maintain ownership control with no disclosed institutional venture capital.

Name

Preclinics

Legal name

preclinics Gesellschaft für präklinische Forschung mbH

Website

https://preclinics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Preclinics is a privately held preclinical CRO headquartered in Potsdam, Germany, operating five sites in Germany and Italy. It delivers PK/PD, vaccination, biodistribution, and in vivo imaging studies, custom and camelid VHH antibody services, bioanalytical assays, and proprietary research instruments to pharma, biotech, and academic clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Preclinical Contract Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Medical Laboratories (621511)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

In Vivo Pharmacology (Efficacy/PD Models) (HLAGAFAA), Bioanalytical & Biomarker Assays (Preclinical) (HLAGAFAK)

Keywords

• Preclinical contract research
• Antibody development services
• Pharmacokinetics studies
• Camelid VHH antibodies
• In vivo imaging services

Headquarters

HQ city

Potsdam

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Contract Research Services: PK/PD studies, vaccination studies, biodistribution studies, and imaging studies conducted as fee-for-service preclinical contract research for pharmaceutical and biotech clients. Single or multiple dosing regimens across various administration routes with comprehensive study execution from planning through sample analysis.
2. Antibody Development Services: Custom immunization services for recombinant, polyclonal, and camelid VHH antibodies across multiple species. Services include antigen preparation, immunization, screening, purification, and characterization. Final products include whole blood, PBMCs, serum/plasma, purified antibodies, and phage libraries.
3. Fresh Blood Products: Sale of fresh blood products including whole blood (stabilized, defibrinated), erythrocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), serum, plasma, and isolated RNA/cDNA. Products shipped within 24 hours of production to European customers.
4. Bioanalytical Services: Sample analysis services covering genomics (ddPCR, single-cell sequencing), cell biology (flow cytometry, cell sorting, Western blotting), protein analysis (MSD/ECLIA, Jess), and immunology (ELISA, ELISpot, cytokine multiplex, BLI/SPR binding affinity).
5. Research Instruments: Sale and potentially lease of custom research instruments including the REVOLYZER® voluntary running assay system and custom-built devices (tissue thickness measurement, in vivo imagers). REVOLYZER is sold as a complete system with ongoing support.
6. preclinics certified products GmbH: Production and sale of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles, pseudoviruses, lentiviruses, recombinant proteins, and antibodies via transient transfection or stable cell line generation. Supports hybridoma service and single B cell technology.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Preclinics is a preclinical contract research organization that designs and executes custom preclinical studies — including pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, vaccination, biodistribution, and imaging studies — for pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic clients. The company also develops custom antibodies (with specialty in camelid VHH single-domain antibodies from llamas and alpacas), provides bioanalytical sample analysis (genomics, flow cytometry, MSD/ECLIA, ELISA, ELISpot), supplies fresh blood products, and sells proprietary research instruments including the REVOLYZER® voluntary running assay system.

Product overview

Preclinics is a preclinical contract research organization offering an integrated portfolio of research services and products. The company operates through four main service divisions: (1) Preclinical Studies covering pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, vaccination studies, biodistribution studies, and imaging studies; (2) Antibody services including custom immunization, Camelid VHH development, and fresh blood products; (3) Bioanalytical Services including genomics/molecular biology, cell biology/functional assays, advanced analytical platforms, and immunology/immunoassays; and (4) Research Instruments including custom instruments and the REVOLYZER® voluntary running assay system. The company also operates two subsidiaries: preclinics certified products GmbH (virus-like particles, pseudoviruses, recombinant proteins) and preclinics Italia s.r.l. (VHH engineering and protein expression). The portfolio is complemented by specialized assay services such as ELISpot, µCT imaging, and Pichia GlycoSwitch® glycosylation technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• REVOLYZER®: Voluntary wheel running assay system for high performance analysis of running activity in research settings
• beacies
• Pichia GlycoSwitch®

Products and services

• Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics PK and PD studies that assess drug exposure, biological response, and support dose selection across various administration routes, sampling sites, and analytical methods for pharma, biotech, and academic clients.
• Vaccination Studies Evaluation of humoral and cellular immune responses following immunization, including antibody titers, cytokine profiling, T-cell analysis, and neutralization assays.
• Biodistribution Studies Quantitative analysis of drug distribution across tissues and organs to assess target delivery and off-target accumulation, including organ distribution and tumor profiling.
• Imaging Studies Non-invasive in vivo imaging including bioluminescence imaging and µCT imaging for monitoring biodistribution, tumor progression, treatment response, and bone/soft tissue analysis.
• Antibody Services Full-service antibody development including custom immunizations in various species (rabbit, goat, mouse, rat, sheep, horse, cow, camelids), antigen preparation, screening, purification, and characterization for pharma, biotech, and academic clients.
• Camelid VHH Service Development of camelid heavy-chain antibody fragments (VHH/Nanobodies) from New World camelids (llamas, alpacas, huarizos), including immunization, PBMC/RNA/cDNA isolation, phage library generation, and recombinant VHH production for research, diagnostics, and therapy applications.
• Fresh Blood Service Sale of fresh blood products including whole blood (stabilized, defibrinated), erythrocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), serum, plasma, and isolated RNA/cDNA from various species, shipped within 24 hours of production.
• Genomics & Molecular Biology Services High-sensitivity DNA and RNA analysis using digital droplet PCR and single-cell sequencing (10x Genomics Chromium X) for gene expression and biomarker studies.
• Cell Biology & Functional Assays Flow cytometry, cell sorting, and western blotting for immune cell phenotyping, functional characterization, and biomarker analysis.
• Advanced Analytical Platforms High-sensitivity technologies including Meso Scale Discovery (MSD/ECLIA), digital droplet PCR, and multiplex protein analysis (Jess) for precise biomarker analysis.
• Immunology & Immunoassays (BeaCies) Immunoassay services including ELISA, ELISpot, cytokine multiplex analysis, and binding affinity measurement (BLI/SPR) for quantifying immune responses and biomarkers; also produces fluorescent/luminescent antibody conjugates for research and diagnostics.
• Custom Research Instruments Development and sale of specialized research instruments built to client specifications, including devices for tissue thickness measurement and high-sensitivity in vivo imagers for luminescence studies.
• REVOLYZER® Branded voluntary wheel running assay system sold as a complete unit with high-capacity design (48 cages per system), external analytical equipment, stainless steel construction, precision ball bearings with magnetic brake, and high sampling rate for precise measurement of rodent running activity.
• preclinics certified products GmbH — Recombinant Protein & Virus Products Subsidiary product offering including SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles, pseudoviruses, lentiviruses, recombinant proteins, and antibodies produced via transient transfection or stable cell line generation; also supports hybridoma service and single B cell technology.
• ELISpot Assay Service Sensitive single-cell-level method for studying immune response by detecting cytokine-secreting immune cells; higher sensitivity than classical ELISA for cellular immune response analysis.
• Pichia GlycoSwitch® Expression Platform Licensed yeast expression platform using engineered Pichia pastoris strains for producing proteins with human-like glycosylation and near-homogeneous glycoforms at culture scales up to 10 liters, supporting vaccine antigens and recombinant single-domain antibodies.
• µCT Scan Service High-resolution computed tomography imaging service providing 3D analysis of samples with extended depth and precision for bone, soft tissue, and biomaterial analysis supporting histology preparation and downstream analyses.
• in vitro Whole Blood Drug Testing Service Analytical framework for testing drug effects in whole blood from target species (human and murine), including cytokine release assay, neutrophil activation assay, and cytotoxicity assay, providing predictive pharmacology before preclinical studies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Delivers fresh blood products within 24 hours of production to many parts of Europe
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• StratosvircoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration in STARLITE project (2024) funded by BMWK ZIM-Kooperationsprojekte. Engineering specialized sdAb libraries for novel tumor targets to be integrated into Stratosvir's therapeutic virus construct for enhanced viral immunotherapy.
• BioLaM (Pichia GlycoSwitch® Licensor)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2024preclinics Italia acquired license for Pichia GlycoSwitch® expression platform from BioLaM. Enables production of proteins with human-like glycosylation using engineered Pichia pastoris strains with OCH1 mutations.
• University of Parma - Dept. Chemical Life SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Department collaboration that led to founding of preclinics Italia s.r.l in February 2022. Expertise in protein engineering and recombinant antibody development. Continued research collaboration on VHH technology and expression systems.
• Biopharmanet TEC, University of ParmaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Interdepartmental center for health product innovation that provided initial collaboration framework leading to preclinics Italia establishment. Access point to local innovation ecosystem at university campus Tecnopolo.
• preclinics Italia s.r.lcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Wholly-owned subsidiary founded February 2022 combining preclinics GmbH competencies with University of Parma expertise. Specialized E. coli/yeast expression hub and Italian market representative for all preclinics GmbH services.
• University of Potsdam (Stiftungsprofessur Immuntechnologie)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Long-standing collaboration with University of Potsdam's endowed professorship for immune technology. Supports camelid immunization research and antibody development. Funded by BMBF. Joint publications and technology development in VHH antibody engineering.
• Behring Campus Eystrup GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Experienced subsidiary operating veterinary research facilities at former Behring Institute. Provides farm animal housing and veterinary project capabilities.
• preclinics certified products GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Subsidiary focused on virus-like particle, pseudovirus, lentivirus production, and recombinant protein/antibody production via transient transfection or stable cell lines.
• Medizinische Hochschule HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Medical University Hannover collaboration listed among cooperations, indicating joint research activities in preclinical and biomedical research areas.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AbCellera Biologics: Antibody discovery platform using single B cell screening and library technologies. Comparable to Preclinics' camelid VHH antibody discovery and engineering capabilities.
• Syngene International: Contract research organization providing discovery, preclinical, and bioanalytical services. Comparable to Preclinics in offering integrated preclinical CRO services to pharma/biotech.
• GenScript ProBio: Provides antibody development, protein expression, and bioanalytical services. Comparable to Preclinics' antibody and recombinant protein service lines.
• Aragen Life Sciences: CRO offering antibody discovery, protein engineering, and preclinical services. Comparable to Preclinics in integrated antibody and preclinical research offerings.
• Inotiv: Preclinical CRO with research models and discovery/preclinical services. Comparable to Preclinics in preclinical contract research including animal models and bioanalytical work.
• ProBioGen: Berlin-based CDMO specializing in biologics, viral vectors, and glyco-engineering. Comparable to Preclinics in German biotech services, protein expression, and specialized biologics capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• WuXi AppTec: Global CRO/CDMO with preclinical, biologics, and antibody discovery services. Comparable to Preclinics in preclinical CRO and antibody development offerings but at massive global scale.
• Labcorp Drug Development (Fortrea): Large CRO with preclinical and clinical service portfolio. Overlaps with Preclinics in preclinical PK/PD and bioanalytical services for pharma/biotech clients.
• Charles River Laboratories: Global preclinical CRO offering safety assessment, PK/PD, and biologics services. Comparable to Preclinics in preclinical CRO offering but vastly larger scale and global footprint.
• Eurofins Scientific: European-headquartered bioanalytical and CRO services conglomerate. Comparable in offering bioanalytical, genomics, and immunology assay services across European markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/preclinics-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Preclinics