Functional insight, grounded in human biology
PIMS® (Physiological Intermolecular Modulation Spectroscopy) is a label-free biophysical technology designed to reveal how patient-derived biological systems respond to therapeutic intervention.
By analysing functional changes in human tissue exposed to treatment, PIMS® helps identify patient subgroups most likely to benefit from a specific therapy — supporting more informed clinical development and patient stratification.
This functional perspective contributes to a healthcare ecosystem that is more predictive, efficient, and patient-centred.
The PIMS® Mechanism
Unlocking the Truth in the Tissue Through Physics
Analyzes samples in their natural biological matrix (no labels, no artificial buffers). Preserves the complete native interactome.
Leverages water as a non-destructive sensor. Drug-target engagement subtly alters the resonance of surrounding water networks.
Applies precisely modulated Near-Infrared light across a controlled temperature gradient to stress the system and reveal binding energies.
Decodes unique multi-dimensional patterns to predict patient response and de-risk clinical trials. The Truth in the Tissue.
From human tissue to functional insight
Many current approaches rely on molecular signals to infer drug response. PIMS® takes a different route.
Using established biophysical principles, PIMS® analyses how molecular systems within human tissue reorganise when exposed to a drug. The resulting signal forms a functional fingerprint that reflects the biological response of that specific patient sample.
Because the measurement is label-free and non-destructive, tissues are analysed under conditions that more closely resemble physiology — preserving complexity rather than simplifying it away.
A comparative, patient-derived workflow
PIMS® follows a simple comparative logic:
Baseline
Patient-derived tissue or cells (including blood and biopsies) are analysed under native conditions.
Therapeutic exposure
The same sample is exposed ex vivo to a drug or drug combination.
Functional comparison
Differences between baseline and challenged states reveal whether — and how — the biological system responds.
This enables patients to be grouped based on observed functional behaviour, rather than prediction alone.
PIMS® instrument supporting functional stratification of patient-derived samples.
What the signal represents
PIMS® does not measure individual targets or expression levels. Instead, it captures integrated biological response — including changes linked to binding, conformational shifts, and downstream pathway engagement.
Across translational studies, this approach has demonstrated high reliability in predicting patient response (around 96%), using clinically relevant human samples. This makes functional stratification possible at a level of confidence suitable for real-world development decisions.
Part of a broader translational ecosystem
PIMS® is designed to answer a focused but critical question: Does this treatment functionally engage the patient's biology?
Where deeper mechanistic insight is required — for example to understand signalling pathways or identify biomarkers — complementary technologies can be applied downstream. In this way, PIMS® acts as an entry point to a broader translational workflow, linking patient stratification to mechanism and, ultimately, to better-aligned clinical development.
Established use in translational research
PIMS® has been used in translational research settings for several years and is supported by peer-reviewed studies, including recent work in colorectal cancer treated with targeted therapy.
These studies illustrate how functional stratification can support patient selection and optimise clinical development strategies.
Adding the functional layer
PIMS® sits between molecular insight and clinical outcome, helping translate biological signal into functional relevance.
