How to use optical and nuclear imaging to generate whole-body, 3Rs-aligned biodistribution data.
Understanding where a drug distributes in vivo remains a critical, yet often underestimated, challenge in preclinical development. Many programs still rely on blood-based PK or ex vivo tissue analysis, generating incomplete or fragmented views of biodistribution. These approaches increase animal use, limit longitudinal insight, and can introduce risk by leaving key questions around target engagement and off-target exposure unanswered.
In this webinar, we explore how in vivo imaging can provide a more complete and efficient view of biodistribution. You will gain a practical understanding of when to apply optical imaging approaches such as fluorescence and bioluminescence, including their strengths for rapid screening and multi-timepoint assessment, while supporting the reduction of research models through longitudinal study design.
We also examine quantitative nuclear imaging techniques, including PET and SPECT, and how they compare to optical techniques in terms of sensitivity, precision, and study design considerations. Through this comparison, participants will learn how to select the most appropriate approach based on their specific program needs, while aligning biodistribution strategies with evolving 3Rs expectations and regulatory focus.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the limitations of conventional biodistribution approaches and their impact on translatability.
- Identify when to apply optical versus nuclear imaging techniques based on study objectives and constraints.
- Review how imaging can support longitudinal study design, reducing and refining the requirement for animal models in biodistribution studies.
View this webinar to explore how imaging can generate more informed biodistribution data and better align preclinical programs with 3Rs principles.
Presenters
Sarah Belderbos, PhD
Study & Research Director, Imaging & Molecular Radiotherapy
Sarah Belderbos obtained her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from KU Leuven (Belgium) in 2020, where she mainly focused on the characterization and validation of preclinical oncology models and nanoparticles with the help of multimodal imaging (optical imaging, MRI, and PET/MRI). Afterwards she joined the Werner Siemens Imaging Center (Tübingen, Germany) as a Post-Doc and Stanford University (CA, USA) as a visiting scientist, where she focused on the validation of novel immune-oncology PET radiotracers in preclinical models.
Sarah joined Oncodesign Services in 2022 as a study director in the Imaging and Molecular Radiotherapy Department. She has since overseen a wide range of studies, mainly involving the development of novel radiotherapeutics, evaluation of novel bioluminescence substrates and fluorescent probes.
Peggy Provent, PhD
Head of Study & Research Unit, Imaging & Molecular Radiotherapy
Peggy Provent obtained her PhD in Physics in 2006 from the University of Grenoble, France, where she mainly worked on the development of novel MRI techniques to characterize brain tumors in preclinical models.
Peggy joined Oncodesign Services in 2008 as a study director in the imaging unit and has participated in the development of the preclinical imaging platform. As a physicist, Peggy supervises all imaging equipment, data management and image analysis with the goal of continuous improvement in the throughput and quality of pharmacology studies.
