Sarcopenia and frailty

Thema:
Efficient drug development

Sarcopenia and frailty are major age-related conditions associated with loss of muscle mass and reduced muscle function. The development of effective interventions is often hampered by the limited availability of translational preclinical models that accurately reflect underlying pathways of human sarcopenia. TNO supports pharmaceutical and academic partners with translational models and technologies for muscle research. Our mouse models combine caloric restriction with partial hindlimb immobilization, resulting in rapid and reproducible muscle atrophy and enabling in vivo efficacy and mechanistic screening of interventions. The model reproduces key functional and histological features of muscle atrophy and exhibits strong overlap with human muscle-aging pathways based on transcriptomic comparisons. Based on these assessments, our model enables comprehensive evaluation of interventions targeting sarcopenia and frailty.

Key capabilities

Study types

Tailor-made efficacy studies for targeted pathways and mechanisms

Models

Models of sarcopenia driven by aging, immobilization and/or caloric restriction, or obesity

Output

Body composition, muscle mass and function, histology (myofiber type and size), transcriptomics

A powerful approach to accelerate sarcopenia and frailty research

TNO supports pharmaceutical, biotech, nutrition, and academic partners in the development of interventions targeting sarcopenia and frailty. By combining translational in vivo models with functional assessments, histology, biomarker research, and omics technologies, we provide insights into muscle loss, underlying disease mechanisms, and treatment response. Our approach enables efficacy and mechanistic evaluation under physiologically relevant conditions and generates robust datasets that support translational research and early decision-making.

30+

years of preclinical research expertise

200+

completed efficacy studies across disease indications

100+

pharma & biotech partners

250+

peer-reviewed publications

Protein synthesis rate via deuterated water

We offer advanced in vivo assessment of skeletal muscle protein turnover in preclinical models of sarcopenia and frailty. Using deuterated water (D₂O) labelling, we can quantify cumulative muscle protein synthesis rates over extended periods under physiological conditions, providing a sensitive measure of treatment-induced changes in muscle anabolism. Combined with molecular analyses, this approach enables mechanistic insight into how interventions influence muscle remodelling and support the maintenance of muscle health.

Use cases

Drug efficacy testing

Evaluate the effects of interventions on muscle mass, function, and quality.

Mechanism of action studies

Investigate how compounds influence pathways involved in muscle atrophy, inflammation, and muscle regeneration.

Biomarker development

Support biomarker discovery and generate translational evidence linking preclinical findings to human muscle-aging biology.

A tailored path to translational insights

  • Study design

    Step 1

    We collaborate with you 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 research question and 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 (e.g. diet, PO, SC, IP, IV) under controlled conditions, including regular monitoring and interim data readouts.

  • Analysis

    Step 4

    We offer extensive efficacy and mechanistic readouts, combining expert pathological assessment with biochemistry, imaging, and omics.

  • Reporting

    Step 5

    Results can be summarized in a comprehensive report with expert interpretation to guide decision-making and next steps in development.

Choose the right preclinical research partner

  • Translational models with demonstrated relevance to human muscle biology
  • Integrated assessment of muscle mass, function, histology, and molecular pathways
  • Ethical and responsible research execution
  • Clear, actionable data to support decision-making

Ready to accelerate your sarcopenia and frailty 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 designs
  • provide a first outline and indicative cost range