Digital pathology CRO services: IHC, multiplex IF and quantitative histopathology
Explicyte operates an integrated digital pathology platform in Bordeaux, France, supporting academic, biotech and pharmaceutical teams from tissue preparation and pathologist-guided assay design to automated IHC/multiplex IF staining, whole-slide imaging and quantitative analysis.
With 150+ tumor and immune markers and 120+ IHC/mIF panels, we support tissue-based biomarker studies from target characterization and immune profiling to translational research and clinical development. Pathologist-guided scoring and in-house quantitative image analysis turn stained slides into interpretable, decision-ready datasets.
Explicyte delivers end-to-end digital pathology studies from tissue preparation and IHC/multiplex IF staining to whole-slide imaging, biomarker scoring and quantitative spatial analysis, with pathology input available where relevant.
Our mIF / IHC data have been published in
Digital pathology CRO services
Why teams run digital pathology with us
ISO-certified pathology workflows
ISO 13485:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certified for tissue-biomarker development and testing, with dedicated workflows for clinical-stage pathology studies.
A pathology platform built for fast turnaround
Two automated staining systems and two multispectral imaging systems, combined with in-house image analysis, minimize bottlenecks from staining to quantitative results.
Established immuno-oncology expertise
150+ validated tumor and immune markers, 120+ IHC/mIF panels, and a peer-reviewed publication track record across translational oncology.
Explicyte is certified ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 by Euro-Quality System (certificates 260133/1637F/1 and 260133/1637F/2). Scope: Precision Oncology — design and development of tissue biomarkers, and tissue biomarker testing services to support therapeutic decision-making. The certification governs our histopathology workflow; the image-analysis pipeline is delivered by the same team but sits outside the certified scope.
Explore our ISO-certified pathology servicesHOW WE RUN DIGITAL PATHOLOGY STUDIES
From tissue to quantitative biomarker data
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1Objectives, cohort and biomarker strategy
We start from the biological or clinical question, available samples and intended readouts. Together we define tissue eligibility, markers and controls, single-plex or multiplex format, scoring strategy and quantitative analysis plan, with pathologists inputs incorporated where relevant.
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2Tissue processing and assay setup
We can work from sponsor-provided material or support human tissue sourcing where needed. In-house preparation can include fixation, embedding, sectioning, H&E and slide preparation. Marker conditions and controls are optimized before antibodies are incorporated into single-plex IHC or multiplex IF assays.
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3Automated staining and digital imaging
IHC and multiplex IF assays are run on automated Ventana Discovery systems. Slides are digitized on Quanterix multispectral imaging systems, with image and staining QC performed before quantitative analysis or pathologist scoring.
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4Quantification, scoring and interpretation
Depending on study scope, readouts can include pathologist scoring and/or in-house quantitative image analysis, including tissue and cell segmentation, marker expression, cell phenotyping, compartment-specific densities and spatial relationships. Results are delivered as structured data, figures and study-specific reporting..
DIGITAL PATHOLOGY AT A GLANCE
IHC, multiplex IF & quantitative pathology capabilities
- Sample types
- FFPE and frozen tissue, biopsies, surgical specimens and TMAs; human tumor/normal tissue and samples from preclinical models.
- Pathology
- H&E review, tissue qualification, ROI annotation, biomarker scoring and study-specific pathology review, where required.
- Staining
- Automated single-plex IHC and multiplex immunofluorescence on two Ventana Discovery systems, with custom assay and panel development.
- Marker library
- 150+ tumor and immune markers and 120+ IHC/mIF panels across translational oncology applications.
- Digital imaging
- Two Quanterix multispectral imaging systems for high-throughput digitization of multiplex pathology slides.
- Quantitative analysis
- Pathologist-guided and AI-assisted tissue/cell segmentation, phenotyping, marker quantification and spatial analysis through our in-house data science team.
What you receive
- Digitized H&E, IHC and/or multiplex IF images according to study scope
- Assay conditions, staining QC and panel documentation
- Pathologist annotations and biomarker scores where included
- Cell- and ROI-level quantitative tables for marker expression and cell phenotypes
- Tissue-compartment maps and quantitative summaries
- Spatial metrics and between-group comparisons where included in the analysis plan
- A results session with your study director
- Structured study outputs and publication-ready figures
DIGITAL PATHOLOGY CASE STUDIES
Digital pathology in practice
DIGITAL PATHOLOGY PUBLICATIONS
Peer-reviewed studies using Explicyte IHC & multiplex IF data
GABA promotes resistance to immunotherapy in patients with TLS-positive tumors
Adenosine A2B Receptor Promotes Tumor Progression and Metastases in Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma
Immune control of functional memory CD8 T cells in normal-appearing vitiligo skin
Fc-optimized CD40 agonistic antibody elicits tertiary lymphoid structure formation and systemic antitumor immunity in metastatic cancer
Reshaping the tumor microenvironment of cold soft-tissue sarcomas with anti-angiogenics: a phase 2 trial of regorafenib combined with avelumab
Regorafenib plus avelumab in advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: a phase 2 trial and correlative analysis
Spatially resolved transcriptomics reveal the determinants of primary resistance to immunotherapy in NSCLC with mature tertiary lymphoid structures
Tertiary lymphoid structures and cancer immunotherapy: From bench to bedside
Analysis of PD1, LAG3, TIGIT, and TIM3 expression in human lung adenocarcinoma reveals a 25-gene signature predicting immunotherapy response
Predictive value of tumor microenvironment on pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas
Identification of microenvironment features associated with primary resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 + antiangiogenesis in gastric cancer through spatial transcriptomics and plasma proteomics
Deciphering the correlation between metabolic activity through 18F-FDG-PET/CT and immune landscape in soft-tissue sarcomas: an insight from the NEOSARCOMICS study
Paul Marteau, PharmD (study director), Imane Nafia, PhD (CSO), Loïc Cerf, MSc (COO), Alban Bessede, PhD (founder, CEO), Jean-Philippe Guégan, PhD (CTO)
Contact our team
Discuss your digital pathology project
Tell us your tissue type, cohort, biomarkers and required readouts. We'll help define the staining, imaging, pathology and quantitative-analysis workflow for your study.
Answers about digital pathology services
Frequently asked questions
What digital pathology services does Explicyte provide?
Explicyte supports digital pathology studies from tissue sourcing and preparation through IHC/multiplex IF staining, digital imaging, biomarker scoring and quantitative image analysis. Projects can be run end to end or scoped to individual workflow steps.
Which samples can you analyze?
Can you develop custom IHC or multiplex IF panels?
Yes. We optimize markers, controls and staining conditions before combining antibodies into study-specific panels. Our existing marker and panel library can provide a starting point for custom studies. For clinical-stage biomarker programs requiring controlled assay development and validation, we offer dedicated ISO-certified pathology services.
What is the role of the pathologist?
Pathology input can be incorporated where relevant, including sample qualification, H&E review, ROI annotation, biomarker scoring and review of specific tissue structures or compartments such as TLS.
Can you perform image analysis on slides stained elsewhere?
What quantitative readouts can you provide?
Do you support pathology studies for clinical-stage programs?
How is digital pathology different from spatial transcriptomics?
Digital pathology measures tissue morphology and protein biomarkers using IHC or multiplex IF, making it particularly useful for target validation, cell phenotyping, biomarker scoring and spatial protein relationships. Spatial transcriptomics measures spatial RNA expression and is better suited to broad transcriptomic discovery or, depending on the platform, direct cell-level gene-expression localization. Many translational programs combine both approaches.
Discovery
- Custom biospecimen sourcing
- Target identification & ranking
- Target expression profiling
- AI-ready Spatial Biology Datasets
Preclinical
Capabilities
- Tumor killing assays
- Immune function & modulation
- Cytokine release
- Patient-Derived 3D tumor models
- Xenium for cells
Modalities
- Antibody-Drug Conjugates
- Multispecifics & T-Cell Engagers
- Cancer Vaccines
Trials
- Transcriptomic biomarkers
- ISO-certified pathology services
- Peripheral biomarkers
Resources
- Publications
- Case studies
- Posters & abstracts
- IO Target Database
- Events & webinars
- News & press
About
- Company
- Commitments
- Careers
Multiomics
- Xenium
- Visium HD
- Chromium X
- Digital pathology
- Proteomics
- Multiplex flow cytometry