Evaluate how your compounds interact with key drug transporters to better predict ADME, pharmacokinetics (PK), and drug-drug interaction (DDI) risk. Eurofins Discovery provides advanced drug transporter assays and permeability studies to support confident candidate selection, regulatory guidance for DDIs, and reduce late-stage development risk.
Our approach helps identify transporter-related risks early, providing insight into bioavailability, distribution, and clearance. With validated models and expertise in ADME and transporter biology, we deliver high-quality data to accelerate programs from discovery through IND-enabling studies.
Comprehensive Drug Transporter Testing & Permeability Assays
Drug transporters play a critical role in the uptake and efflux of compounds across cellular membranes, directly influencing absorption, distribution, excretion, and toxicity. Because many drugs act as transporter substrates or inhibitors, these proteins are often a rate-limiting factor in determining overall drug safety and pharmacokinetics.
Eurofins Discovery delivers a full suite of in vitro transporter assays designed to identify potential interactions early and guide optimization of your compound’s DMPK profile. Our studies help you:
- Predict transporter-mediated drug-drug interactions (DDIs)
- Assess permeability and efflux data
- Understand tissue distribution and clearance pathways
- Improve candidate selection and safety profiles
- Satisfy regulatory guidance from FDA, EMA, and PMDA
Key Transporters in Drug Absorption, Distribution & Excretion
We evaluate the most relevant transporter families involved in drug disposition and regulatory assessment, including both ABC (ATP-binding cassette) and SLC (solute carrier) transporters.
ABC Transporters (Efflux Transporters)
Critical for drug efflux, ABC transporters play a key role in limiting intracellular drug accumulation and protecting sensitive tissues. Understanding their activity is essential for predicting oral bioavailability, tissue exposure, and potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs).
Key transporters include:
- P-glycoprotein (P-gp)
- BCRP (Breast Cancer Resistance Protein)
- MRP1-4 (Multidrug Resistance-associated Proteins)
- BSEP (Bile Salt Export Pump)
These transporters significantly impact intestinal absorption, hepatobiliary excretion, renal clearance, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration, making them critical factors in both drug efficacy and safety profiles.
SLC Transporters (Uptake Transporters)
Key drivers of hepatic and renal drug uptake, SLC transporters play a critical role in determining how compounds enter cells and are cleared from the body. Evaluating their activity is essential for understanding systemic exposure, clearance rates, and potential transporter-mediated DDIs.
Key transporters include:
- OATP1B1, OATP1B3
- OAT1, OAT3
- OCT1, OCT2
- MATE1, MATE2-K
These transporters directly influence drug uptake, distribution, and elimination pathways, making them essential for optimizing dosing strategies and overall pharmacokinetic performance.
Regulatory-Aligned Transporter & DDI Studies
Our transporter assays are designed in accordance with FDA, EMA, and PMDA guidance, ensuring your data is suitable for global regulatory submissions and supports confident decision-making throughout development. Our studies follow established best practices using validated systems and regulatory-recommended probe substrates and inhibitors.
We provide both:
- Substrate assessment studies
- Transporter inhibition assessments
All assays are conducted using validated models and industry-standard methodologies, delivering reliable, reproducible data aligned with regulatory expectations.
Advanced In Vitro Models & Assay Platforms
Eurofins Discovery utilizes a range of industry-standard and advanced cell systems to evaluate transporter interactions with high accuracy and reproducibility, including:
- Caco-2 permeability assays
- MDCK cell models
- HEK293 and CHO transfected cell lines
- Membrane vesicle assays
- Transporter knock-out and knock-in models
These platforms enable detailed assessment of transport kinetics, efflux ratios, and interaction potential across development stages.
Why Work with Eurofins Discovery for Transporter Studies?
Eurofins Discovery combines deep scientific expertise with scalable infrastructure to deliver reliable, regulatory-ready transporter data that accelerates drug development. Our integrated DMPK capabilities allow you to evaluate transporter interactions alongside metabolism, PK, and safety for a complete understanding of your compound.
Scientific Expertise in DMPK
Experienced teams specializing in drug transporters, ADME, and PK modeling.
Regulatory-Ready Data
Studies aligned with global regulatory guidance to support IND and NDA submissions.
Scalable & Flexible Testing
From single assays to integrated DMPK packages, tailored to your program needs.
Integrated Drug Discovery Partner
Seamless support across metabolism, pharmacology, and safety, all within one global organization.
