The world leader in preclinical, interventional and surgical research

NAMSA boasts a 4,000 sq. ft., GLP compliant, analytical laboratory. The laboratory is equipped to provide a full range of analytical services to facilitate integration and overlapping of various study components, including:

• Pharmacokinetics
• Toxicology
• Biocompatibility
• Stability Studies
• In-Vitro Drug Dissolution Testing
• Drug Purity
• Impurity Characterization and Profiling

Extractables and Leachables (E&L)

• Implantable medical devices
• Drug carriers
• Drug delivery systems
• Container and Closure Sys

NAMSA offers cutting edge equipment and interventional techniques specifically designed for cardiovascular and peripheral vascular research. We have five digital cardiac catheterization labs featuring the Siemens AXIOM Artis and Zee fixed C-arm platforms. By having five interchangeable cath labs, and offering the highest quality digital imaging possible, NAMSA can accommodate your timelines no matter how large the study design or last minute the request. Furthermore, our in-house technical experts are among the most experienced interventionalists in preclinical research.

We feature dedicated Siemens Leonardo workstations in each cath lab for real-time quantitative coronary/vascular angiography (QCA/QVA) analysis and evaluation.

Quantitative angiography may be augmented by additional types of intravascular imaging, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and intracardiac ultrasound (ICE).

Also available are dedicated picture archiving and communication system (PACS) server for storing and retrieving cases.

• Fluoroscopy (Siemens AXIOM Artis and Zee™ Digital Cath Labs (n=4), Siemens Avantic™(two) and GE OEC mobile c-arms)
• 3D Rotational Fluoroscopy
• Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) (Boston Scientific iLAB™)
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) (Abbott Ilumien Optis)
• Intracardiac echo (ICE) and Ultrasound (St. Jude Medical Zonare, Philips iE33, Siemens Cypress II and Sequoia™)
• EP Mapping (Ensite Velocity)
• EP Recording (Boston Scientific LabSystem™ PRO)
• Dual Source Computed Tomography (CT) (Siemens Somatom® Definition)
• MicroCT (Optiv CT160)

Diagnostic Imaging Modalities through Partnerships 

Through trusted partners, NAMSA provides additional diagnostic imaging and analysis. All work performed with our partners is contracted and supervised by our personnel. These partnerships give NAMSA access to a network of experts to assist in study design and interpretation of results.

• MRI (Siemens Avanto 1.5T, GE Signa HDx 3.0T)

Pathology is the gold standard for the evaluation of medical device performance and safety. The NAMSA pathology lab is designed for high volume to meet and exceed all of your tissue and device collection requirements. We operate a fully equipped, 5,000 square foot histopathology and SEM laboratory in our main facility.

The NAMSA pathology lab is operated by Board Certified Histotechnicians and has both Board Certified Veterinary Pathologists and MD, PhD Pathologists who oversee gross necropsies, interpret histopathology slides and write reports evaluating the safety of products. The lab also has advanced equipment for the precise sectioning of all medical devices, using paraffin, plastic thin microtomy, plastic EXAKT ground sectioning, and SEM techniques.

GROSS PATHOLOGY CAPABILITIES

Post-Mortem Exams

• Large / Small in vivo models
• Microdissection
  
• In-situ perfusion fixation
  
• Ex-vivo perfusion fixation
  
• Fluorogram guided tissue harvesting
  
• Pharmacokinetic sampling
  
• TTC in-situ and ex-vivo staining
  
• Evans blue staining

Imaging

• Stereomicroscopy
• High Resolution radiography (Faxitron)
  
• Scanning Electron Microscope
  
• Histomorphometry

NAMSA offers an array of services for drug discovery programs including efficacy studies, pharmacokinetic (PK) assessments, as well as discovery and GLP toxicology services. We are pleased to offer these services in both rodent and various models, while combining our bioanalytical and histopathology capabilities to centralize your research in our state-of-the-art facilities.

With a focus on pain pharmacology, NAMSA brings years of expertise in behavioral pharmacology to bear on to your projects, helping you prioritize leads and select development candidates. At NAMSA, we understand the importance of delivering quality data as rapidly as possible. Our turnaround times are unmatched and our rigorous approach to positive controls ensures that you will finish with quality data on which to base your crucial go/no-go decisions.

We also understand that the development of novel therapeutics requires the development and validation of novel models and assessment methodologies. When you have chosen your development candidates, let us continue to help with your program needs through our Toxicology Services. From dose-ranging on through acute and chronic studies, and from mice to canines, NAMSA can assist you establish safety and tolerability profiles of your lead molecules.

NAMSA is proud to offer preclinical, interventional and surgical study capabilities in a range of locations across the globe. Working in our state-of-the-art laboratories, NAMSA’s highly-trained experts utilize a broad range of trusted In Vivo models and analysis tools, including five (5) Siemens Cath Labs and a 128-slice CT Scanner, among other advanced technologies, to deliver study results in an accelerated, cost-efficient manner.

We also understand the criticality of complying with methods and regulations within the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other international guidelines to provide Sponsors with the most reliable, accurate outcomes in industry.

Combining decades of experience in therapy delivery systems and implantable medical device research, NAMSA has the distinction of serving as the industry’s premier destination for preclinical research. Some of our most requested areas of study, include:

• Cadaveric Non-Clinical Testing
• Cardiac Surgery
• Coronary and Peripheral
• Dental
• Dermal Wound Healing
• Drug Coated Balloons
• Electrophysiology
• Embolization Devices
• Endoscopy
• Gastrointestinal and Urogenital
• Heart Valves
• Neuromodulation
• Orthopedic and Bone Healing
• Physician Training
• Pulmonary Therapies
• Specialty Pathology Services
• Stents/Graft
• Tissue Engineering
• Transcatheter and Surgical
• Thrombogenicity Testing

NAMSA has an extensive surgical program to meet all of your model development, treatment, and/or implant requirements. Our Surgeons are Doctors of Veterinary Medicine or Academy of Surgical Research certified and have trained with some of the most prominent doctors and researchers in the field.

Although NAMSA’s surgical staff is equipped with all the necessary tools to support your entire procedure, we also provide à la carte services to support your preclinical needs. Interested in having your key opinion leader (KOL) or design team personnel work with your product? No problem. The NAMSA team will fill in the necessary gaps in procedure roles so that your staff can concentrate on their duties during the implant or treatment procedure.

All of NAMSA’s surgical suites are maintained to hospital standards. Every suite features temperature and humidity control, with HEPA filtration for a full aseptic surgical field.

Cardiovascular

• Cardiopulmonary Bypass
• Transapical Cardiac Valves (aortic, mitral)
• Surgical Cardiac Valves (aortic, pulmonary, mitral, tricuspid)
• Annuloplasty
• Mitral Valve Regurgitation Therapy
• Indwelling PICC Catheters
• Arterial Vascular Grafts
• Arteriovenous Fistulas
• Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
• Total Artificial Heart (TAH)

Dermal

• Skin flaps
• Wound Healing Models (partial and full thickness)

Gastrointestinal

• Obesity Devices
• GERD
  
• Endoscopy / Laparoscopy
  
• Biliary Catheter

Orthopedics

• Orthopedic Connectors
• Orthopedic Prostheses
  
• Craniotomy / sinus studies
  
• Dural implants
  
• Endochrondral defects
  
• Meniscectomy
  
• Osteoarthritis

Pulmonary

• Airway denervation
• Lung Volume Reduction
• Lung Biopsy
• Tracheal Stent
• Apnea Therapy

Urogenital

• Kidney Cellular Regeneration
• Prostate Ablation
• Urinary Incontinence Meshes
• Uterine Ablation
• Hernia Repair