Viva Biotech Aims to Reshape Drug Discovery with Integrated Platform

SHANGHAI, China – December 29, 2025 – In an increasingly complex and costly drug discovery landscape, contract research organization (CRO) Viva Biotech has unveiled an integrated pharmacology platform designed to serve as a comprehensive, end-to-end solution for pharmaceutical and biotech partners. The platform, showcased in a recent company webinar, aims to support the development of a wide array of therapeutic modalities, from traditional small molecules to next-generation biologics and PROTACs, streamlining the arduous journey from initial discovery to preclinical validation.

This move positions Viva Biotech to capitalize on the growing industry trend of consolidating R&D outsourcing with single, highly capable partners. By offering a unified suite of services spanning drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), in vivo efficacy studies, and bioanalysis, the company is making a strategic play to become an indispensable partner for drug developers navigating the challenges of modern therapeutic innovation.

The Rise of the Integrated CRO Model

The decision by biopharmaceutical companies to outsource preclinical work is no longer just a cost-saving measure; it has evolved into a core strategic imperative. Faced with immense pressure to accelerate timelines and de-risk development, companies from virtual biotechs to large pharma are seeking CROs that can act as true partners, managing entire discovery and development programs. This has fueled the rise of the "one-stop-shop" model, where a single provider offers a seamless continuum of services that were once fragmented across multiple vendors.

Viva Biotech enters a highly competitive but rapidly expanding market. Industry giants like WuXi AppTec and Charles River Laboratories have long offered deeply integrated services, managing projects from target identification through to IND filing. These established players have set a high bar for scientific breadth and operational scale. However, the global drug discovery CRO market is projected to swell to nearly $150 billion by 2034, driven by the sheer complexity of new drug modalities and the need for specialized expertise that is often impractical to build in-house.

By creating its own integrated platform, Viva Biotech is directly addressing this demand. The company's value proposition centers on providing a cohesive team and consistent analytical frameworks across chemistry, biology, and pharmacology. This approach aims to eliminate the logistical hurdles and potential data inconsistencies that can arise from managing multiple CROs, ultimately promising faster, more informed decision-making for its clients.

A Scientific Leap for Complex Therapies

Modern drug discovery has moved far beyond conventional small molecules. The new frontier includes highly specific and potent modalities such as PROTACs (proteolysis-targeting chimeras), therapeutic peptides, and monoclonal antibodies. Each of these presents unique and significant challenges in understanding their pharmacokinetic (how the body processes the drug) and pharmacodynamic (how the drug affects the body) profiles.

Viva Biotech's platform is engineered specifically to address this complexity. A key innovation highlighted by the company is its proprietary engineered hFcRn/B2M–MDCK Transwell system. This in vitro assay is designed to predict the in-body circulation time of antibodies—a critical parameter for their efficacy and dosing. By mimicking a key biological transport mechanism, the system offers a cost-effective and rapid screening tool that the company claims has a strong correlation (Pearson r > 0.84) with clinical outcomes. This allows for earlier and more efficient selection of the most promising antibody candidates, potentially saving millions in downstream development costs.

Beyond this specific tool, the platform applies a rigorous, data-centric methodology across all modalities. By using consistent analytical software like WinNonlin, researchers can directly compare the pharmacokinetic behavior of different types of drugs. Furthermore, DMPK studies are not conducted in isolation; they are integrated with a portfolio of mechanistic bioassays, including in vitro immunology tests and in vivo tumor efficacy studies, providing a more holistic picture of a drug candidate's potential.

A Strategy of Expansion and Integration

Viva Biotech's ambition is backed by a series of strategic investments in infrastructure and capabilities. The company has aggressively expanded its physical footprint with new facilities in Shanghai and a major R&D and incubation center in Chengdu. This expansion provides the necessary laboratory space and state-of-the-art equipment to support its growing client base and integrated service model.

Growth has also come through targeted acquisitions. The 2020 purchase of SYNthesis, a preclinical chemistry CRO, bolstered its expertise in small-molecule discovery and synthesis. This was followed by the acquisition of Langhua Pharmaceutical, which extended Viva's capabilities into the critical Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) sectors. These moves signal a clear intent to control the entire value chain, from an initial idea to the production of materials for clinical trials.

This strategy appears to be resonating in the market. The company reports having supported over 150 projects for more than 50 global clients. Market confidence was further solidified by a $210 million investment secured in 2023, providing substantial capital to fuel further expansion and technological development, including a planned spin-off of its core CRO business for a separate listing.

Addressing the Future of Preclinical R&D

As the cost and complexity of bringing a new drug to market continue to climb, the role of advanced preclinical platforms becomes ever more critical. The ability to "fail fast and fail cheap"—identifying non-viable drug candidates early in the process—is paramount. Integrated platforms like the one developed by Viva Biotech are positioned as essential tools for achieving this efficiency.

Looking ahead, the company is also weaving artificial intelligence into its workflow. Its AI-Driven Drug Discovery (AIDD) platform, built on 15 years of experience in structure-based drug discovery, integrates computational modeling and predictive algorithms with experimental validation. Viva Biotech claims this synergy can accelerate discovery by 30-50% and reduce costs by up to 70%, a compelling proposition in a budget-conscious industry.

By combining deep scientific expertise in novel modalities, a robust and integrated service infrastructure, and forward-looking investments in AI, Viva Biotech is building a formidable offering. Such comprehensive platforms are becoming indispensable for navigating regulatory hurdles, optimizing drug profiles, and ultimately shortening the long and winding road that leads from a laboratory breakthrough to a life-changing therapy for patients.