Bridging resource gaps in preclinical ion channel discovery

In today’s competitive landscape, drug discovery teams are under growing pressure to progress projects at speed, while maintaining scientific rigour. For many discovery researchers the day-to-day reality includes managing multiple complex studies to tight timelines with limited resource. At Metrion, we understand the urgency that drives your work and that setbacks are more than just frustrating - they can delay decisions, increase costs and limit progress, for example:

• Tight project timelines driven by funding cycles, partner expectations, or internal milestones.
• Capacity bottlenecks, where overlapping priorities or limited internal bandwidth slow down progress.
• Delays caused by assay optimisation, troubleshooting, or complex experiment design.

These challenges can delay lead optimisation, reduce throughput, and complicate regulatory submissions, particularly for ion channel-focused programmes where key scientific expertise is required to ensure high data quality and reproducibility.

Flexible support to keep your pipeline moving

We recognise that your needs may vary. You may require support for a single validation assay or a full screening campaign involving multiple targets and compound series. That is why our approach is built around flexibility and collaboration, to deliver services including:

Ion channel screening As leaders in ion channel research, we provide target validation, compound profiling, and high-throughput screening using state-of-the-art electrophysiology platforms and fluorescence-based assays.	Cardiac safety screening hERG and CiPA-compliant studies, action potential measurements, and mechanistic assays to assess proarrhythmic risk.	Neuroscience assays Translational assays in PNS and CNS models, including excitability and synaptic activity tailored to pain, neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric indications.

By working with our scientists, led by a highly experienced leadership team, you gain access to:

• Rapid, high-quality data generation, with robust assay protocols that ensure reproducibility and accuracy.
• Tailored service models, enabling you to engage with us on a project-by-project basis or as a long-term partner.
• A responsive, collaborative team, who don’t just deliver a report but integrate seamlessly with your in-house scientists to deliver results aligned with your programme goals, ensuring:
  • Comprehensive data analysis.
  • Clear interpretation of results.
  • Key insights to inform your next steps.

This flexibility means you can scale support up or down as needed, without the overheads of expanding your internal headcount or investing in additional equipment.

Addressing cost pressures without sacrificing quality

Scientific excellence is paramount to discovery success. Yet many research teams are navigating a landscape where:

• Resources must be carefully prioritised to make the most of existing capacity.
• Strategic choices need to be made when reviewing drug discovery team budgets.
• An increasing focus on achieving more with leaner teams requires maintaining delivery of high-quality science.

Cost-effective expertise during critical phases of research

Metrion offers cost-effective access to specialist expertise and cutting-edge platforms without the need for long-term investment.

By working with us, you can meet short-term needs, plug capability gaps, or expand screening capacity during critical phases of your research. All of this is possible while staying within budget.

Outsource drug discovery: A strategic extension of your team

Metrion is more than a service provider. We operate as an outsource drug discovery scientific partner who understands the intricacies of preclinical drug discovery and the value of flexible, timely support.

Whether you are a start-up progressing your first asset or a large pharmaceutical company looking to outsource studies, Metrion can help you overcome bottlenecks and achieve your goals. Don’t just take our word for it - read customer testimonials which demonstrate the effectiveness of working with us:

Focus on progress, not obstacles

The path to delivering new therapeutics is rarely straightforward. With the right partner, these challenges become manageable and even present opportunities to optimise workflows and improve outcomes.

We provide the specialist support you need to stay on schedule, reduce risk, and maintain scientific integrity. Whether you need short-term capacity, specific expertise, or a long-term collaboration, we are here to help.

If your team is over-stretched, your project is at risk of delay, or you simply want to explore how additional insight could improve outcomes, please contact us.