Preclinical Imaging Services for Animal Studies from a Leading CRO

Preclinical Imaging Services for Animal Studies: A Professional Guide to Planning, Execution, and Decision-Making

With over 30 years of combined expertise in preclinical research leadership and management, BIOTECH FARM Ltd. has guided hundreds of imaging studies from initial concept through regulatory-ready deliverables. Our team understands that preclinical imaging services represent far more than scanning animals — they form the quantitative backbone of critical go/no-go decisions that determine which therapeutic candidates advance to clinical trials.

At the heart of medical innovation, preclinical imaging services play a pivotal role in translating scientific discoveries into viable therapeutic candidates. These services provide comprehensive professional support for planning, executing, and analyzing in vivo and ex vivo imaging across animal models, enabling teams to assess efficacy, safety, and pharmacodynamics before clinical trials begin.

What Does In Vivo Imaging Actually Measure in Preclinical Research?

In vivo imaging involves scanning living animals to quantitatively assess anatomy, organ function, or molecular signals. Unlike terminal endpoint assays, it allows longitudinal monitoring of the same subject across multiple time points. Common measurements include:

• Tumor volume and growth kinetics
• Tissue perfusion and vascular permeability indices
• Tracer uptake in PET or SPECT studies
• Bioluminescence and fluorescence signal intensity
• Cardiac function and metabolic activity

The commercial advantage is substantial: fewer invasive endpoints, more data points per animal, and earlier go/no-go decision-making. When dynamic changes over time, treatment response assessment, or reduction of inter-animal variability are critical to the study objectives, in vivo imaging becomes preferable to relying on histology alone. Histology provides a single snapshot, while imaging captures the full trajectory of disease progression or therapeutic effect.

As described in detail at Preclinical Animal Studies: Key to Medical Breakthroughs, these studies represent a foundational step toward achieving regulatory approval and advancing patient care.

Choosing the Right Imaging Modality: PET, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, or Optical?

Modality selection depends on the biological question being asked, the tissue depth of interest, required spatial resolution, need for absolute quantification, availability of probes or tracers, and logistical factors such as scan duration and cost. A comprehensive review published in PubMed Central on multi-platform imaging in cancer models demonstrates how different modalities complement each other when addressing complex preclinical questions.

Five Questions to Guide Your Modality Decision

Before selecting an imaging platform, answer these questions systematically to narrow the modality options and prevent costly protocol changes mid-study:

A Common Mistake: Confusing a Preclinical Imaging CRO with a Core Facility

A preclinical imaging CRO (Contract Research Organization) is a commercial service provider that manages imaging projects end-to-end. This includes project management, Service Level Agreements, quality assurance documentation, standardized acquisition protocols, and defined deliverables. A core facility, by contrast, typically operates on a shared-access or instrument-booking model where the researcher performs much of the work independently.

What Actually Drives the Cost of Preclinical Imaging Services?

Costs are primarily determined by multiple interconnected factors that vary significantly between projects:

• Imaging modality selected — PET/SPECT requires radiochemistry infrastructure; MRI involves longer scan times
• Number of animals and time points — longitudinal studies cost more but reduce total animal numbers
• Complexity of image analysis — 3D segmentation and radiomics increase costs but improve decision quality
• Specialized probes, contrast agents, or radiotracers — custom synthesis adds significant expense
• Study design consultation and project management — comprehensive support vs. basic scanning services

Facilities like Biotech Farm, which integrate project management and scientific escort into their service model, help clients anticipate costs early by providing transparent, itemized quotes that break down each component clearly.

Realistic Timelines: From Scheduling Scans to Receiving Results

Lead time for most preclinical imaging projects depends on instrument availability, staff scheduling, and protocol complexity. Initial processed images can often be delivered within days of acquisition, while a comprehensive final report depends on the depth of analysis and quality assurance review.

Discussing these variables during the kickoff meeting is essential for setting realistic expectations with all stakeholders.

Which Animals and Disease Models Can Be Imaged?

Most preclinical imaging services focus on rodent models (mice and rats), but feasibility extends to larger species depending on instrumentation, available coils or accessories, anesthesia and monitoring protocols, and ethical considerations. Adjustments are made based on the animal’s weight, body temperature regulation, respiratory rate, and fixation requirements during scanning.

Common disease models amenable to imaging include:

Facilities experienced in providing diverse Animal Models In Preclinical Research can advise on which imaging approaches are most appropriate for a given model system, ensuring compatibility between the biological question and the imaging platform.

What Information Should You Prepare About Your Disease Model?

Before approaching an imaging provider, prepare documentation on:

• Expected time points for disease onset, progression, and treatment response
• Clear inclusion and exclusion criteria for enrolling animals into imaging sessions
• Success metrics — what quantitative change constitutes a meaningful biological effect?

Having these parameters defined upfront reduces protocol revisions and accelerates the project timeline considerably.

Ensuring Data Quality and Reproducibility Across Imaging Sessions

Quality and reproducibility in preclinical imaging rely on multiple interrelated factors:

• Standard Operating Procedures for every step of the workflow
• Regular calibration using phantoms
• Standardization of anesthesia and physiological monitoring
• Consistent acquisition parameters
• Clearly defined analysis protocols with appropriate controls

The FDA’s Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) framework provides a regulatory benchmark for nonclinical laboratories, outlining expectations for documentation, traceability, and quality systems.

Which QC Metrics Belong in Every Imaging Report?

Every imaging report should include:

The IAEA’s tutorial resources for PET/CT quality control provide standardized testing frameworks that can be adapted for preclinical scanners.

The Four-Phase Workflow: Kickoff Through Final Report

A well-structured imaging project follows a clear four-phase workflow. This end-to-end structure is characteristic of a professional preclinical imaging CRO, where each phase is managed with defined handoffs, quality checkpoints, and documentation standards.

The ARRIVE guidelines provide a useful framework for ensuring that study plans and reports capture all essential information for transparent and reproducible science.

Animal Welfare and the 3Rs: How Ethical Compliance Shapes Imaging Study Design

Ethical guidelines and local regulations are strictly followed in all preclinical imaging studies, including approval from the relevant institutional or national ethics body. In Israel, this oversight falls under the Animal Experimentation Council, as detailed in official statistics and regulatory documents published by the Ministry of Health.

The 3Rs framework — Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement — guides every aspect of study design:

Biotech Farm’s commitment to animal welfare and ethical performance, including high standards of care and a transparent 3Rs approach, reflects these principles in daily practice.

What Approvals Are Required Before Any Imaging Can Begin?

All preclinical imaging studies must undergo rigorous review and approval by the local Animal Experimentation Council or equivalent institutional ethics committee (IACUC) before any animal work begins. The approval process evaluates:

• Scientific justification for animal use
• Specific procedures involved in the study
• Measures taken to minimize pain and distress
• Statistical justification for group sizes

Can Imaging Actually Reduce the Number of Animals in Your Study?

Yes. In vivo imaging significantly supports the Reduction principle of the 3Rs by enabling longitudinal studies on the same animal, thereby minimizing the total number of animals required. When each animal serves as its own control — with baseline and post-treatment images compared within the same subject — inter-animal variability is dramatically reduced.

A study that might require 60 animals using terminal endpoint assays at three time points could potentially be conducted with 20 animals imaged longitudinally — a 60%+ reduction in animal use.
— Industry Best Practice Calculation

This aligns with broader regulatory trends, including the FDA’s recent guidance on reducing testing requirements where alternative approaches are scientifically sound.

What Deliverables Should You Expect from a Preclinical Imaging Study?

Deliverables typically include comprehensive documentation that supports both internal decision-making and external regulatory submissions:

A Materials and Methods section written to satisfy transparent reporting standards such as the ARRIVE guidelines 2.0 should be included in every comprehensive study report.

How Should Data Be Presented to Support Go/No-Go Decisions?

Clear visual summaries help stakeholders quickly grasp key findings and their implications for drug development timelines:

• Annotated representative images showing treatment effects
• Quantitative graphs with error bars and statistical annotations
• Concise summary statements for executive review
• Tables comparing treatment groups across time points with highlighted significance

Anesthesia, Monitoring, and Animal Handling During Imaging Sessions

Full-service preclinical imaging providers offer comprehensive animal handling, anesthesia administration, and physiological monitoring throughout every imaging session. This includes:

• Experienced staff for animal preparation, restraint, and post-scan recovery
• State-of-the-art anesthesia delivery systems
• Continuous monitoring of vital signs including body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate

As documented in a detailed review in PubMed Central on anesthesia and monitoring during rodent imaging, maintaining stable physiological conditions is essential for generating reliable and reproducible imaging data.

Selecting a Preclinical Imaging CRO in Israel: What Matters Most?

When selecting a preclinical imaging CRO in Israel, evaluate several key dimensions to ensure alignment with your project requirements and quality expectations:

Biotechfarm: Preclinical Research And Development Services exemplifies the type of facility that combines advanced instrumentation with over three decades of scientific and operational experience in managing complex preclinical programs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Preclinical Imaging Services

Ready to Plan Your Preclinical Imaging Study?

What specific imaging endpoints would advance your current development program, and which modalities are best suited to your biological question? Whether you are designing a first-in-class efficacy study or seeking longitudinal monitoring data for a regulatory submission, having the right preclinical imaging partner is essential for generating actionable, high-quality results.

Reach out to discuss your project requirements and receive a tailored study proposal.

BIOTECH FARM Ltd.

Founded by Adir Koreh and Rinat Borenshtain-Koreh, bringing together over three decades of combined expertise in research leadership and management. The company collaborates with organizations of all sizes — from emerging startups to established corporations — both in Israel and internationally. Driven by a mission to advance innovation for the benefit of humanity and animal welfare, BIOTECH FARM Ltd. applies its deep scientific knowledge and research capabilities to develop solutions that make a meaningful impact across the biotechnology sector.