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    Our Services

    The Animal Model Core & Comparative Orthopedic Research Laboratory (AMC-CORL) is focused on non-clinical and clinical (VICH-GL9) translation. With versatile expertise and over a decade of experience, AMC-CORL is able to support studies on infection, long bone, soft tissue, spine, joints, cartilage, and much more. Leveraging multi-disciplinary specialties at Penn Vet, AMC-CORL provides a refined platform of successful translation using experimental and naturally-occurring disease models. We partner with pharmaceutical and medical-device companies, government agencies, and academic institutions to meet a broad range of R&D needs.

    In the current med-tech landscape, investors, and ultimately payers (insurance companies, hospitals, and patients), require medical innovation that provides value — reducing healthcare costs through better clinical outcomes and reduced procedure costs. In the development stage, not only do decisions need to consider the value the product will bring, they must also be thoughtful of the overall cost of development.

    Appropriately aligning your product development efforts, including preclinical testing, can increase your team’s efficiency and ultimately increase the likelihood of a successful product. For over a decade, we have taken time to listen and understand your product development plans, your intended markets, and the value proposition for your investigational therapy or device. Our objective is to ask the right questions in order to choose a refined preclinical model with high translational fidelity. This approach has delivered answers in the context of the intended clinical indication of your technology. Through our innovative partnerships, we have successfully moved numerous new therapies to market. At times we have also failed, but this failure in the preclinical stage presents opportunity for improvement and insight into your technology before bringing it to a clinical trial setting. Whatever your needs, the Penn Vet Animal Model Core & Comparative Orthopedic Research Lab is here to help with dedication, detail, and insight.

    Our Services include:

    • Project Planning
    • Test Article Prototyping & Testing
    • Model Development & Refinement
    • Feasibility & Pilot Studies
    • Execution of Pivotal Studies
    • Acute & Chronic Data Collection
    • Data Mining and Analysis
    • Support of Regulatory Submissions
    • Reports & Publication
    • GLP Archive

    Compliance

    Penn Vet AMC-CORL has a well-established infrastructure to ensure studies are conducted in compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (21 CFR, Part 58 – GLP). Our internal Quality Assurance Unit works to maintain adherence to study protocols and SOP’s and produce robust data. All laboratory team members are continuously trained in this rigorous process. Additionally, regulated studies with the goal of FDA submission are monitored by an external Q/A entity.

    Our Facilities

    Penn Vet AMC-CORL is part of New Bolton Center’s 700-acre campus. Animal housing is designed to the highest standards for humane treatment and hygienic conditions.

    Species that can be accommodated include sheep, goats, pigs, horses, dogs, rabbits, and rodents. Dedicated large animal housing provides the capability for large-scale, long-term studies.

    sheep

    All animals under the care of Penn Vet AMC-CORL are monitored daily by dedicated veterinarians. In addition to routine care, our veterinarians perform examinations and treatments of animals enrolled in studies. As part of Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center, we have the unique opportunity to employ clinical services not available to most pre-clinical laboratories. Large animal hospital facilities such as the Intensive Care Unit are utilized as needed. Board-certified specialists in internal medicine, neurology, anesthesiology, radiology, ophthalmology, etc. are available for consultations. The resulting collaboration and expertise ensure the highest possible standards of care.

    Our fully-equipped surgery suite with separate prep and recovery areas can accommodate a wide range of surgical procedures. Intra-operative imaging capabilities include, CT, 3D C-arm fluoroscopy, ultrasound, arthroscopy, and laparoscopy.

    Our Bioskills laboratory includes a purpose-built space for mechanical testing, cadaveric studies, and ex vivo analysis. Acute in vivo studies can also be arranged for training purposes.

    The affiliation with the University of Pennsylvania provides countless resources from advanced diagnostics to specialized facilities throughout the university network. Collaboration with other research institutions also broadens our reach in available facilities and resources.

    Imaging

    Our research is supported by state-of-the-art imaging and diagnostic equipment at three levels: within the core, within the university, and through our wide network of collaborators.

    • Karl Storz HD Endoscopy Tower: Comprehensive endoscopy and laparoscopy tower
    • Logiq 200 Pro Ultrasound: Digital Ultrasound
    • Luminex MagPix: Multiplex immunoassay system
    • Neurologica CereTom CT: Portable 8-slice computed tomography
    • Siemens Arcadis Orbic 3D: Mobile C-arm fluoroscopic unit with intraoperative 3D MPR capabilities
    • Ziehm Vision R: Mobile C-arm fluoroscopic unit