Atherosclerosis

Thema:
Efficient drug development

TNO specialises in highly translatable preclinical atherosclerosis research, supporting the development and evaluation of novel therapeutic compounds. By combining decades of expertise in cardiovascular disease biology with validated in vivo models and advanced histopathological analysis, we generate robust, clinically relevant data that supports confident decision-making. Our proprietary APOE*3-Leiden, APOE*3-Leiden.CETP and Ldlr-/-.Leiden mouse models enable the assessment of treatment effects on lipid metabolism, inflammation, and disease progression. Whether in preventive or therapeutic study designs, we help translate preclinical insights into meaningful outcomes for drug development.

Information

Study types

Preventive & therapeutic efficacy studies

Models

APOE*3-Leiden(.CETP) | Ldlr-/-.Leiden

Output

Quantitative lesion data & translational endpoints

A powerful approach to accelerate cardiovascular drug development

TNO supports pharmaceutical and biotech organisations in evaluating the efficacy of novel compounds targeting cardiovascular disease. By combining translational in vivo models with quantitative histopathology, we provide deep insights into lesion development, progression, and treatment response. Our approach allows you to assess compound performance under physiologically relevant conditions, benchmark against existing therapies, and generate robust datasets that support early decision-making in the development pipeline.

30+

years of cardiovascular preclinical expertise

200+

completed efficacy studies across disease indications

100+

pharma & biotech partners

250+

peer-reviewed publications

Key capabilities

Translational efficacy models

Validated mouse models with demonstrated relevance to human lipid metabolism and disease progression.

Histopathology & lesion quantification

Quantitative analysis of lesion area and composition with standardised workflows and reduced variability.

Flexible study designs

Support for both preventive (progression) and therapeutic (regression) study setups.

End-to-end expertise

From study design and execution to data analysis and interpretation.

AI-powered histopathology

Our AI-supported histopathology platform enhances the analysis of atherosclerotic lesions by enabling accurate and standardised quantification across entire tissue sections.

AI-based histopathology allows for precise delineation of lesion boundaries across the aortic root, reducing variability and improving sensitivity in detecting treatment effects. This results in more robust and reproducible datasets, supporting stronger and more reliable conclusions from preclinical studies.

Translational model platform

Our APOE*3-Leiden(.CETP) and Ldlr-/-.Leiden mouse models develop diet-induced dyslipidaemia with a lipoprotein profile that closely resembles humans. In these models, cholesterol is primarily carried in VLDL and LDL particles, in contrast to wild-type mice where HDL predominates and atherosclerosis does not develop.

This makes our models highly suitable for studying therapeutic interventions in a clinically relevant context.

Use cases

Drug efficacy testing

Evaluate the effect of compounds on atherosclerosis progression or regression.

Mechanism of action studies

Investigate how compounds influence lipid metabolism, inflammation, and plaque biology.

Biomarker & endpoint validation

Generate robust preclinical data to support translational biomarker strategies.

5-step process

  • Study design

    Step 1

    We collaborate to define a study tailored to your compound, research questions, and selected endpoints, ensuring a clear and relevant experimental setup from the outset.

  • Model selection

    Step 2

    Based on your disease area and compound characteristics, we select the most appropriate validated translational models to maximise relevance and predictive value.

  • In-life phase

    Step 3

    The study is executed with compound administration under controlled conditions, including continuous monitoring, biomarker collection, and interim data readouts.

  • Analysis

    Step 4

    Comprehensive analysis is performed using histology, imaging, transcriptomics, and biomarker data, providing deep insights with clinically relevant endpoints.

  • Reporting

    Step 5

    Results are translated into precise and structured reports, including expert interpretation to support your decision-making and next steps in clinical development.

Choose the right preclinical research partner

TNO bridges the gap between preclinical research and clinical outcomes. Our models are continuously validated against clinical data, ensuring maximal translational relevance.

  • Proven translatability through clinically validated models

  • Holistic understanding of cardiovascular disease mechanisms

  • Ethical and responsible researchexecution

  • Clear, actionable data to support decision-making

Ready to accelerate your atherosclerosis research?

Get in touch to discuss your research question and explore how TNO can design and execute a tailored preclinical study for your compound.

In an initial discussion, we

  • align on your research objective
  • propose suitable models and study design
  • provide a first outline and indicative cost range