Medicines Discovery Catapult

Four therapeutic areas anchor the work: neuroscience, oncology, immunology and infectious disease, supported through target identification and validation, lead generation, lead optimisation, candidate selection and into clinical stages. In vitro teams build human primary and induced pluripotent stem cell models, often as complex multi-cell cultures, and read disease-specific endpoints covering target engagement, mechanism of action, and cellular binding, uptake and delivery. In vivo studies quantify biodistribution, organ accumulation and PK/PD relationships, then pair those readouts with ex vivo molecular and spatial profiling. Underpinning platforms include mass spectrometry, spatial biology, microscopy and preclinical imaging, plus a proprietary Chemical Protein Stability Assay. A dedicated radiopharmaceuticals division handles radiolabelling and formulation, dosimetry, theranostics and in vitro screening, while separate programmes tackle RNA therapeutics, antimicrobial resistance, mental health and total-body PET. R&D consultancy and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are available alongside laboratory work.