Obesity

Thema:
Efficient drug development

TNO advances translational obesity research using the Ldlr−/−.Leiden mouse model, which captures the multi-organ metabolic dysfunction observed in humans. We evaluate therapeutic efficacy across liver, adipose tissue, gut, brain, and the cardiovascular system. In both preventive and therapeutic study designs, we translate preclinical findings into integrated, multi-organ insights that closely align with clinical outcomes. By combining this validated model with standardised AI-supported analysis, we generate clinically relevant data that supports confident decision-making in drug development.

Information

Study types

Preventive & therapeutic efficacy studies

Models

Ldlr-/-.Leiden

Output

Translational read-outs across multi-organ systems

A powerful model to study multi-organ metabolic disease

We support pharmaceutical and biotech organisations in evaluating compounds targeting obesity and its associated metabolic complications. By combining our Ldlr-/-.Leiden model with integrated multi-organ read-outs, we provide insight into disease development, progression, and treatment response across tissues. This approach enables robust evaluation of compound efficacy under clinically relevant conditions and supports early decision-making in drug development.

30+

years of preclinical metabolic disease expertise

100+

completed efficacy studies across disease indications

100+

pharma & biotech partners

60+

peer-reviewed publications

Key capabilities

Translational efficacy models

Validated mouse model capturing multi-organ metabolic dysfunction observed in human obesity.

Multi-organ readouts

Integrated assessment across liver, adipose tissue, vasculature, gut, and brain.

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-based histopathology platform enables standardised and high-throughput quantification of tissue pathology across organs, including liver and vasculature. This reduces variability and improves sensitivity to detect treatment effects. The platform can be applied to both TNO-generated and externally generated datasets.

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Translational model

Our Ldlr−/−.Leiden mouse model develops obesity under physiologically relevant dietary conditions without supraphysiological cholesterol supplementation. The model reproduces key features of human obesity, including adipose tissue inflammation, insulin resistance, MASLD, vascular dysfunction, gut dysbiosis and brain inflammation.

Use cases

Drug efficacy testing

Evaluate treatment effects across multi-organ metabolic endpoints.

Mechanism of action studies

Investigate how compounds affect metabolic, inflammatory, and organ crosstalk pathways.

Biomarker & endpoint validation

Generate translational datasets across tissues to support 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.

  • Model selection

    Step 2

    Based on your compound characteristics, we select the most appropriate model-diet combination to maximise relevance and predictive value.

  • In-life phase

    Step 3

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

  • Analysis

    Step 4

    Comprehensive analysis is performed using histology, biochemistry, 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 obesity research and clinical outcomes. Our model captures multi-organ disease complexity and is continuously validated against clinical data, ensuring high translational relevance.

  • Proven translatability through clinically aligned mouse models
  • Multi-organ disease insight in a single model
  • Ethical and responsible research execution
  • Clear, actionable data to support decision-making

Ready to accelerate your obesity research?

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

In an initial discussion, we:

  • align on your research objective
  • propose suitable model-diet combinations and study design
  • provide a first outline and indicative cost range