MuriPhys and Qmera Pharmaceuticals Forge Strategic Teaming Relationship to Deliver Seamless, End-to-End In‑Vivo Preclinical Drug‑Development Services
MuriPhys and Qmera Pharmaceuticals Forge Strategic Teaming Relationship to Deliver Seamless, End-to-End In‑Vivo Preclinical Drug‑Development Services
Durham, NC, and Research Triangle Park, NC – July 8, 2025 – MuriPhys, LLC (“MuriPhys”), an AAALAC‑accredited in‑vivo contract research organization (CRO) specializing in rodent efficacy, pharmacology, and translational neuroscience, and Qmera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Qmera”), an agile analytical CRO renowned for high‑resolution mass‑spectrometry–driven bioanalysis, drug‑metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) profiling, and pre‑formulation support, today announced that the companies have executed a Strategic Master Teaming Agreement. The agreement unites complementary capabilities to create a single, streamlined solution that escorts drug candidates from exploratory discovery through IND-enabling in vivo studies and quantitative bioanalysis, dramatically accelerating the time-to-decision for biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovators.
“By coupling MuriPhys’ precision in‑vivo modeling and rich translational endpoints with Qmera’s state-of-the-art mass‑spectrometry platforms, we are eliminating one of the biggest pain points for early drug developers: the hand‑off between preclinical pharmacology and bioanalytical support,” said Dr. Ariel Vitenzon, Chief Scientific Officer of MuriPhys. “Qmera’s team brings unrivaled expertise in micro‑volume LC‑MS/MS, rapid DMPK turnaround, and formulation troubleshooting. Their data quality and scientific rigor perfectly complement our rodent expertise, robotic CNS delivery, and comprehensive behavioral and electrophysiology suites. Together we can provide clients with a single point of accountability and a level of scientific insight that neither organization could deliver alone.”
A Convergence of Best-in-Class Capabilities
MuriPhys: Translational Depth and AAALAC‑Certified Animal Welfare
- Robust Vivarium & Rodent Expertise – More than 1,000 mouse and rat cages, supported by a full veterinary program, DEA‑controlled‑substance and radioactive‑materials licensure, and a dedicated environmental‑enrichment program.
- Precision CNS & Systemic Drug Delivery – Robotic stereotaxic platforms and a comprehensive menu of systemic modalities enable high-accuracy dosing for complex neurological and oncology indications.
- Comprehensive Readouts – Integrated behavioral testing (motor, cognitive, social), in‑vivo electrophysiology, ophthalmology, PK/PD sampling, and advanced imaging provide multi-parametric decision data within a single study cohort.
Qmera Pharmaceuticals: High‑Resolution Analytics and Agile Workflows
- Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) – Insightful ADME studies that inform dose selection, predict human PK, and identify liabilities early, all delivered within accelerated timelines.
· Bioanalysis Powered by High-Resolution LC‑MS – Custom assay development and validated workflows enable precise quantification of small and large molecules from just 5 µL of plasma or tissue extract, supporting robust PK, PD, and biomarker studies while prioritizing animal welfare.
- Analytical Chemistry & Pre‑Formulation – Impurity profiling, stability studies, solubility screening, and excipient compatibility assessments guide formulation strategy and ensure regulatory‑grade data packages.
- Rapid Start‑Up & PhD‑Led Programs – Projects typically initiate within two weeks, with direct PhD-level oversight, real-time troubleshooting, and a proven track record of on-time, on-budget delivery.
One‑Stop Science: How the Alliance Benefits Sponsors
The newly formed alliance creates a vertically integrated preclinical pathway that allows biotech innovators to:
- Design a study in collaboration with cross-functional in‑vivo and analytical scientists on a single kickoff call.
- Dose animals using MuriPhys’ robotic CNS or systemic platforms in an AAALAC‑accredited environment that meets the highest ethical and regulatory standards.
- Collect rich datasets spanning behavior, electrophysiology, imaging, and disease-specific biomarkers—plus ultra-low‑volume blood and tissue samples—to minimize animal use.
- Analyze samples at Qmera using fit-for-purpose High-Resolution LC‑MS assays, high-throughput batch processing, and robust QC pipelines.
- Interpret & iterate rapidly with a joint scientific steering team, shortening cycles between hypothesis, experiment, and decision.
Together, MuriPhys and Qmera cover the full continuum of discovery pharmacology, IND-enabling toxicology, DMPK, and formulation readiness—a scope typically accessible only through multiple vendors and complex contract interfaces.
“MuriPhys has built an exceptional reputation for translational rigor—particularly in complex CNS and oncology models—and for its unwavering commitment to the 3Rs through AAALAC accreditation,” noted Dr. Ramil Menzeleev, Chief Scientific Officer of Qmera Pharmaceuticals. “By integrating our high-resolution mass‑spectrometry workflows and DMPK know-how with their sophisticated in‑vivo platforms, we are delivering a holistic data package that speaks a common scientific language from the animal to the analytical bench. This partnership empowers sponsors to make faster, more confident go/no‑go decisions and ultimately to shepherd better medicines to patients sooner.”
Dedicated Support for Emerging Biotechs and SBIR/STTR Innovators
MuriPhys and Qmera have structured their joint offering to fit the budgets, timelines, and reporting needs of small and mid-sized biotechnology companies, combining deep domain expertise with flexible study designs that scale lean teams and limited resources. MuriPhys maintains a dedicated SBIR/STTR solutions program that helps early-stage ventures strengthen their grant applications, integrate in vivo data packages, and chart an efficient course toward IND readiness. By pairing those grant-friendly study modules with Qmera’s rapid-start, micro-volume High-Resolution LC-MS workflows—capable of launching within two weeks and tailored to sponsor budgets—the alliance delivers a turnkey path from Phase I SBIR feasibility through Phase II translational development without the handoffs that erode time and capital. For founders and principal investigators, this means one contract, one integrated dataset, and a single scientific steering team committed to converting federal grant dollars into decisive preclinical milestones.
Looking Ahead
The alliance will immediately launch a Joint Innovation Initiative focused on integrating Qmera’s micro-volume High-Resolution LC‑MS quantitation with MuriPhys' serial-sampling mouse models, enabling higher data density with fewer animals and opening the door to sophisticated PK/PD modeling in hard-to-reach therapeutic areas, such as neuro-oncology and metabolic CNS disorders.
Future phases will explore:
- Multiplexed Biomarker Panels that correlate behavioral phenotypes with real-time biochemical readouts.
- Automated Data Pipelines that feed results directly from Qmera’s analytical instruments to MuriPhys’ cloud-based vivarium management platform for time-synced analytics.
- Regulatory Consultancy Services to assist clients in compiling cohesive preclinical packages for FDA pre-IND and fast-track submissions.
About MuriPhys
MuriPhys is a privately held CRO headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, dedicated to advancing translational research through state-of-the-art rodent models, robotic CNS delivery, behavioral assays, in‑vivo electrophysiology, ophthalmology, oncology models, and PK/PD support. Its AAALAC accreditation and comprehensive licensure demonstrate a steadfast commitment to ethical animal care and high-quality science.
About Qmera Pharmaceuticals
Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, Qmera Pharmaceuticals is an analytical CRO that leverages High-Resolution LC-MS, robust DMPK, bioanalysis, analytical chemistry, and pre-formulation services to accelerate early-stage drug development. Qmera’s PhD-led teams deliver rapid project start-up, scientific agility, and data excellence, equipping sponsors to make timely, informed decisions.
Media Contacts
For MuriPhys
Mikhael Vitenson, CEO
+1 (919) 341‑5445 | info@muriphys.com
For Qmera Pharmaceuticals
Colleen Moore, CEO
+1 (919) 885‑4007 | contact@qmerapharma.com
