INDIGO Biosciences

INDIGO Biosciences, Inc. operates as a specialized provider of in-vitro toxicology and nuclear receptor solutions, catering to a sophisticated client base across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food, agriculture, and nutraceutical industries, as well as government research agencies and academic institutions. Founded in 2005 in State College, Pennsylvania, by Dr. Jack Vanden Heuvel and Dr. Blake Peterson, the company was established on the founders' combined expertise in nuclear receptor biology, toxicology, and molecular biology. Dr. Vanden Heuvel, who serves as the Chief Scientific Officer, is also a Professor of Molecular Toxicology at Penn State University, bringing a deep academic and research background to the company's scientific direction.

The company's business model transitioned from a traditional contract research organization (CRO) to a product-focused entity following a significant technological breakthrough in 2008. This pivotal development was the creation of CryoMite™, a proprietary cryo-preservation process that allows for the long-term storage and shipping of their engineered reporter cells. This process grants researchers on-demand access to robust, ready-to-use cell-based assays, substantially reducing the time and complexity typically associated with cell culture work. Revenue is generated through two primary streams: the sale of all-inclusive, cell-based luciferase reporter assay kits and the provision of screening services. These services include lead discovery and optimization, ADME/safety pharmacology, custom assay development, and environmental toxicology testing.

INDIGO's core offering consists of a comprehensive portfolio of cell-based reporter assay kits targeting a wide array of receptors such as nuclear receptors, G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs), growth factor receptors, and cytokine receptors. These kits are all-inclusive, providing researchers with everything needed to conduct the assay, including cryopreserved cells, optimized media, reference compounds, and luciferase detection reagents. The principal application for these assays is to screen test compounds to quantify their functional activity, whether as agonists or antagonists, against specific cellular targets. This enables clients to assess compound efficacy, potency, and selectivity, as well as identify potential off-target effects early in the discovery process, thereby reducing the time, cost, and risk associated with developing new medicines and safer chemicals.

Keywords: nuclear receptor assays, in vitro toxicology, cell-based assays, contract research organization, drug discovery services, cryo-preservation, reporter cells, luciferase reporter assay, ADME/Safety pharmacology, toxicology testing, pharmaceutical screening, biotechnology solutions, agricultural research, nutraceutical testing, GPCR assays, growth factor receptor assays, environmental toxicology, custom assay development, lead optimization, preclinical screening, compound profiling