Identify biomarkers that track mechanism and exposure

Biomarker discovery focuses on identifying measurable signals that reflect the underlying mechanism or pharmacology and can be reliably assessed in the intended biological matrices. The phase prioritizes biological relevance, technical feasibility, and operational practicality to ensure that selected markers are suitable for use in subsequent studies. Candidate biomarkers may be drawn from pathway hypotheses, existing datasets, targeted assays, or unbiased profiling and are evaluated based on effect size, variability, and robustness across dose and time.

Early decisions center on defining the biological role and intended context of use, such as mechanism confirmation, exposure–response assessment, patient stratification, or safety monitoring. Matrix selection and sampling windows are considered upfront to ensure feasibility in blood, tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, or surrogate matrices, alongside practical aspects such as sampling logistics and assay transfer. Analytical methods, performance targets, and thresholds for meaningful change are established to support consistent interpretation of results.

Find biomarkers that reflect real biology

CETSA can contribute to biomarker discovery by linking drug activity to protein engagement and pathway changes in relevant biological matrices. This supports the identification and prioritization of biomarkers that are mechanistically grounded and suitable for verification in later-stage studies, including work with patient-derived material when appropriate.

Biomarker discovery is enabled by our Proteome Wide Profiling Service

Proteome Wide Profiling

Broader investigation of compound effects across the detectable proteome.

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Webinar: How CETSA® Enhances Translational Studies – A Sitryx Case Study

In this on-demand webinar, Jon Ellery, Director of Biology at Sitryx, shares how CETSA technology helped Sitryx assess target engagement and improve translational confidence in small molecule drug discovery.

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Is your compound actually therapeutic?

Learn how CETSA confirms target engagement across cell lines, animal models, and human primary cells—providing physiologically relevant insights that streamline drug discovery.

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