ESQlabs, a European leader in physiologically based kinetic (PBPK) modeling, and Quantitative Systems Toxicology, has officially established a presence in the United States, bringing its science-forward approach to drug and chemical safety assessment to North American clients and collaborators.
For years, ESQlabs has been at the forefront of Next-Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) in Europe, helping clients navigate the complex landscape of chemical toxicokinetics without relying solely on animal studies. Now, with a dedicated US presence led by our Senior Scientist Dr Marjory Moreau, those same capabilities are closer than ever for pharmaceutical companies, chemical manufacturers, regulatory consultants, and research institutions across North America.
Why the US, and Why Now?
The regulatory environment for chemical safety is rapidly evolving. Across the globe, and increasingly in the United States, there is a growing imperative to reduce, refine, and ultimately replace animal testing.
ESQlabs was built precisely for this moment. The team recognized that US-based organizations working in toxicology, environmental safety, and drug development face the same fundamental challenge: generating credible safety evidence for data-poor or novel compounds in a regulatory climate that demands transparency and scientific rigor. Our expansion is a direct response to that need.
Our mission: Bridge data gaps, support animal-free assessments, and strengthen regulatory confidence, advancing NGRA goals for clients wherever they operate.
What We Bring to the US Market
Our core offering centers on three interconnected scientific pillars: ADME characterization and PBK modeling, In Vitro–In Vivo Extrapolation (IVIVE), and Quantitative Systems Toxicology (QST). Together, these form a complete, end-to-end toolkit for modern chemical risk assessment.
Our core methodology relies on Physiologically Based Kinetic (PBK) models: advanced computational tools that simulate chemical movement within the body. By combining data specific to the compound with biological parameters, PBK models provide quantitative descriptions of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). This allows for robust extrapolations across different species, exposure routes, and dose levels.
In the context of NGRA, PBK models serve as a critical bridge: they translate in vitro toxicity findings into meaningful, real-world exposure metrics. This allows for the derivation of alternative Points of Departure (PoDs) and supports a shift toward more ethical, efficient, and mechanistically informed risk assessment. Our team also actively extends PBK applications to environmental risk assessment, supporting interspecies extrapolation and ecological modeling beyond traditional human health contexts.
ESQlabs also develops QST models that quantitatively link chemical exposure with biological responses, integrating mechanistic insights from Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) and Modes of Action (MoAs). These models simulate toxicity progression across time and biological scales, accounting for population variability and enabling biomarker-based predictions for both acute and chronic scenarios.
All modeling is conducted using open-source platforms, including PK-Sim, MoBi, R, and other modular tools, ensuring every analysis is transparent, auditable, and reproducible.
European Expertise, Now Locally Available
What has made ESQlabs a trusted partner in Europe is the combination of deep scientific expertise, a commitment to regulatory relevance, and a genuinely collaborative approach to client engagements. We don't just run models, we guide clients from study design through to regulatory submission, ensuring that every data point generated serves a clear scientific purpose.
With our US expansion, that same level of engagement is now available to North American clients, with the added advantage of shared time zones, local familiarity with US regulatory frameworks (EPA, FDA, TSCA, and others), and the ability to build lasting in-person relationships with partners and collaborators.
