Partnership announcement. The article records the collaboration and initiatives described at the time. Current methods, readiness, start dates and scope are agreed for each project.
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 and Pharmacokinetics: ADME workstreams can inform dose selection, exposure interpretation and the assessment of candidate-specific liabilities.
Micro-volume Bioanalysis: The announcement described workflows using samples as small as 5 µL. Sample-volume requirements, analyte coverage, assay readiness and performance criteria are established for each method and matrix.
- Analytical Chemistry and Pre-formulation: Impurity profiling, stability, solubility and excipient-compatibility workstreams are scoped with the performing laboratory and intended use in view.
- Project Setup and Scientific Oversight: Start dates, scientific responsibilities, troubleshooting and reporting are agreed for the project.
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.
- Carry out the agreed animal work within the AAALAC-accredited program, with protocol review, welfare oversight and study-specific procedures.
- 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.
The collaboration connects discovery pharmacology, in vivo research, DMPK, bioanalysis and formulation questions. For IND-enabling or other regulated work, the scope and qualifications of each performing laboratory are agreed explicitly.
“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
The collaboration coordinates study design, in vivo work, bioanalysis and reporting around each program’s scientific objectives. MuriPhys can contribute scientific scopes, budget inputs and facilities descriptions for SBIR/STTR applications. Study start dates, methods, deliverables and commercial terms are defined for the individual project.
Looking Ahead
The announcement also outlined a proposed Joint Innovation Initiative combining Qmera micro-volume LC-MS workflows with MuriPhys serial-sampling studies. Its stated goal was to connect more informative datasets with thoughtful animal use.
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 specialized 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