KEY-OBS
KEY-OBS is a French preclinical CRO founded in 2000 that provides behavioral phenotyping, validated in vivo animal models, and pharmacological studies in CNS and neuro-inflammation to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, operating from Orléans with 1–10 employees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersOrléans, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What KEY-OBS does
KEY-OBS (legal entity: Société KEY OBS, Siret 430 234 799 00038) is a privately held French Contract Research Organization (CRO) founded in 2000 by Jean-Charles Bizot, PhD, and Fabrice Trovero, PhD, specializing exclusively in preclinical central nervous system (CNS) research. The company operates from a single facility at 13 Avenue Buffon in Orléans, France, approximately one hour from Paris, and is staffed by 1–10 employees. KEY-OBS serves pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that require validated in vivo models and behavioral pharmacology expertise to support drug discovery programs targeting neurological and psychiatric indications including ADHD, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, autism, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS, and Huntington's disease.
The company's core service portfolio comprises Pharmacological Studies using validated animal models tested with reference drugs, Behavioral Phenotyping of transgenic and inbred mouse strains (supported by an internal database of behavioral performance built over 24 years), Custom Designed Research projects, and CNS Test Services covering psychiatric, neurodegenerative, and neurodevelopmental indications. Specialized neuro-inflammation studies are delivered jointly with partner Artimmune, covering histology, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, rtPCR, and immunological analyses. Online study tracking enables clients to monitor progress in real time and adjust protocols collaboratively. Underlying technology is rooted in classical in vivo pharmacology and behavioral neuroscience rather than computational or AI-driven methods; proprietary assets are the validated model repertoire and the strain behavioral database.
KEY-OBS generates revenue through custom-priced, quote-based contract research engagements sold directly to enterprise pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients (B2B, sales-led motion). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and no revenue figure is available in the source material. The company has served more than 30 clients since founding, with most returning for repeat studies. Distribution is augmented through partnerships with ANS Biotech (pain pharmacology), Neuroservice (in vitro electrophysiology), and the NeuroServices Alliance global CRO network, alongside an academic collaboration with the École des Neurosciences de Paris-Ile de France (ENP). No external funding rounds, M&A activity, or parent-company relationships are disclosed; the company is fully owned and managed by its two founders.
KEY-OBS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KEY-OBS
- Legal name
- Société KEY OBS
- Website
- https://key-obs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- KEY-OBS is a French preclinical CRO founded in 2000 that provides behavioral phenotyping, validated in vivo animal models, and pharmacological studies in CNS and neuro-inflammation to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, operating from Orléans with 1–10 employees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KEY-OBS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Preclinical Contract Research Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Preclinical CROs (Discovery/Pharmacology/DMPK) (HLAGAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Specialty Therapeutic-Area CROs (e.g., oncology/rare disease) (HLAGAAAL)
Keywords
Where KEY-OBS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Orléans
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
KEY-OBS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Preclinical Contract Research Services: Contract research services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies requiring preclinical studies, behavioral phenotyping, and pharmacological research in CNS field. Services are custom-designed and conducted collaboratively with client companies.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
KEY-OBS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Key-Obs is a preclinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) that designs and runs in vivo pharmacology and behavioral phenotyping studies in rodents for pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. Its offerings include validated animal models, a CNS test battery covering psychiatric, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, and custom-designed research protocols, all delivered from its laboratory facility in Orléans, France.
Product overview
KEY-OBS is a preclinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) specializing in CNS (Central Nervous System) research for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The company offers an integrated portfolio of services comprising Pharmacological Studies (validated animal models), Behavioral Phenotyping (functional evaluation of genomic mutations), Custom Designed Research (tailored to specific therapeutic areas), and Online Study Tracking. Additional specialized offerings include CNS Test Services covering psychiatric, neurodegenerative, and neurodevelopmental diseases, and Neuro-Inflammation Studies conducted in partnership with Artimmune. The services are designed for flexibility and collaborative protocol development with clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pharmacological Studies
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 30 clients served since 2000, with most returning for new studies
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use KEY-OBS
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
KEY-OBS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
KEY-OBS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- ANS BiotechminorPartnership for in vivo services specifically in pain pharmacology research, complementing Key-Obs' CNS focus areas.
- NeuroserviceminorPartnership for in vitro safety and pharmacology services for CNS based on electrophysiological methods.
- NeuroServices AlliancecoreKey-Obs is a partner of the global pre-clinical CRO NeuroServices Alliance, a network of specialized CNS CROs offering complementary services worldwide.
- Ecole des Neurosciences de Paris-Ile de France (ENP)coreCollaboration agreement signed for behavioral phenotyping of transgenic mice. Creates interface between basic research and use of specific strains in preclinical pharmacological studies, providing easy access to expertise and phenotyping services.
- ArtimmunecoreCombined collaboration to conduct preclinical studies on inflammation in brain diseases. Combines complementary know-how and technical skills covering histology, immunohistochemistry, biochemical analysis (WB, rtPCR), and immunological analysis for neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
KEY-OBS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Porsolt: French preclinical CRO specializing in behavioral pharmacology and CNS efficacy/safety models. Direct comparable to Key-Obs given overlapping French base, founder-led operations, and similar focus on validated in vivo CNS models for pharma/biotech clients.
- Neurofit: French preclinical CRO specialized in in vitro CNS assays (MEA electrophysiology) for neurodegenerative and psychiatric drug discovery. Comparable specialty-CNS positioning and similar European boutique CRO profile.
- Neuroservice: French CRO offering in vitro electrophysiology and safety pharmacology for CNS indications. Already an active partner of Key-Obs; directly comparable customer base and CNS therapeutic focus, with a complementary rather than overlapping in vitro toolkit.
- Biotrial: French-headquartered CRO offering preclinical and early clinical services including CNS/neurology models. Comparable to Key-Obs on geography, customer base (pharma/biotech), and CNS in vivo offering, though larger and more diversified.
- PsychoGenics: US-based preclinical CRO specializing exclusively in CNS behavioral phenotyping and disease modeling for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Closest US analog to Key-Obs' deep CNS-only niche positioning.
Emerging players
- Sygnature Discovery: UK-based preclinical CRO with growing CNS/neuroscience discovery and in vivo pharmacology capabilities for pharma/biotech. Specialty CRO of similar boutique scale to Key-Obs but with a broader discovery remit including medicinal chemistry and DMPK.
Broad incumbents
- WuXi AppTec: Global CRO/CDMO with significant preclinical and CNS-related pharmacology capacity. Competes for outsourced preclinical contracts from big pharma but offers vastly broader scale and integrated discovery-through-manufacturing services.
- Charles River Laboratories: Large global CRO with a Discovery & Safety Assessment business that includes preclinical CNS in vivo services. Competes for the same biopharma buyer budgets but offers a much broader, multi-therapeutic-area portfolio and global footprint.
- Labcorp (Covance): Major global CRO/clinical lab with extensive preclinical capabilities spanning CNS and other therapeutic areas. Broad incumbent serving pharma/biotech across the full drug-development continuum with greater scale and geographic reach.
- Eurofins Discovery: Eurofins' discovery services arm offers preclinical and pharmacology services including CNS in vivo models for European pharma/biotech. Comparable customers and offering footprint, but operates as part of a much larger Eurofins Scientific platform.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
KEY-OBS social profiles
Digital presenceKEY-OBS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KEY-OBS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
KEY-OBS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KEY-OBS 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 KEY-OBS
What does KEY-OBS do?
Key-Obs is a preclinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) that designs and runs in vivo pharmacology and behavioral phenotyping studies in rodents for pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. Its offerings include validated animal models, a CNS test battery covering psychiatric, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, and custom-designed research protocols, all delivered from its laboratory facility in Orléans, France.
Is KEY-OBS a public or private company?
KEY-OBS is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was KEY-OBS founded?
KEY-OBS was founded in 2000. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is KEY-OBS based?
KEY-OBS is headquartered in Orléans, France, in the Europe region.
How does KEY-OBS make money?
One revenue line is on record: preclinical Contract Research Services.
Who are KEY-OBS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Porsolt, Neurofit, Neuroservice, Biotrial and PsychoGenics. Sygnature Discovery is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are WuXi AppTec, Charles River Laboratories, Labcorp (Covance) and Eurofins Discovery.
Does KEY-OBS have an API?
No public API is recorded for KEY-OBS.
What industry is KEY-OBS in?
KEY-OBS's product category is Preclinical Contract Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAAAB, Preclinical CROs (Discovery/Pharmacology/DMPK), with a secondary code of HLAGAAAL, Specialty Therapeutic-Area CROs (e.g., oncology/rare disease).