I am filled with both pride and gratitude for the journey we had at Admescope in 2024. The year was one of consistent growth (against all odds, perhaps), meaningful partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to our customers, even in the face of the challenges posed by the broader pharmaceutical funding climate.
From a CRO perspective, the most notable change last year compared to previous years was the significant shift in the drug discovery and development environment toward later-stage assets. Our comprehensive service portfolio was in a great position to adapt and meet the requirements of our clientele, and we advanced both single compound assets and bespoke programs toward key milestones. We wish the best of success for each potential therapeutic and look forward to hopefully hearing positive news in the future! Reviewing the FDA’s list of approved medicines for 2024, we took great pride in recognizing the tangible impact of our contributions from years ago, and moments like these are a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.
We are equally proud of the investments made in 2024, which have allowed us to introduce new services, including ADME assays for slowly metabolising drugs, such as oligonucleotide therapies, which present unique challenges in assessing their properties. Furthermore, we rolled out early-stage toxicity screening for Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI) testing. As the industry places greater emphasis on drug safety, DILI testing has become an increasingly vital part of the development process. This service adds value to early-stage screening projects and supplements existing assays in genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and cardiotoxicity.
On the technical side, we were pleased to welcome investments in liquid handling robots and advanced analytical instrumentation, further expanding our capacity. These additions ensure we are well-positioned to meet our clients’ diverse needs, with the required capacity, throughput, and precision to support future growth.
While ADME is important, it is not all our customers need, and we are very proud of how we worked with our customers across the Symeres-wide portfolio. Several programs were delivered seamlessly, integrating chemistry, early in vitro and in vivo ADME screening, advanced highly tailored solutions, and some all the way to developability assessment. Our focus in 2025 is to further optimise the journey of our customers and our alignment with these evolving needs.
A standout moment of 2024 was the opportunity to engage with our customers and colleagues at industry events and individual meetings. These interactions have been invaluable in strengthening relationships, as well as staying abreast of scientific developments, both in our clients’ programs and in the ADME field.
Back in the labs, we saw growth in our personnel last year, reflecting both our success and plans for continued growth. As we welcomed new team members, we remained focused on nurturing a collaborative and supportive company culture. The positive feedback from our employee engagement survey is a testament to the strength of this culture, and our commitment to leadership development and supporting work-life balance is greatly appreciated.
Looking ahead to 2025, we remain dedicated to enhancing our quality systems and delivering on our commitments to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives across the Symeres organisation. These areas remain a key focus as we work to contribute to a more sustainable future while maintaining the trust of our clients.
We are excited about the opportunities ahead and, while remaining humble and open to what the future holds, we are well-positioned to expand our offerings, strengthen our collaborations, and contribute to the next generation of therapies. Thank you to every member of the Admescope team for your dedication and hard work, and to all our talented colleagues across Symeres. Most importantly, a sincere thank you to our clients for your continued trust and collaboration. Together, we make molecules matter.
Written by
Outi Kontkanen, CEO
