Updated August 10, 2026
CellCarta offers a full range of validated human IHC, multiplex IHC (mIHC) and multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) assays. With sites accredited by CAP and CLIA certifications, we provide the highest standard of quality. Our team continually develops new biomarker assays and has experience with hundreds more than represented in the brochure.
Contact us for any custom development!
Updated August 10, 2026
CellCarta offers a full range of validated human IHC, multiplex IHC (mIHC) and multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) assays. With sites accredited by CAP and CLIA certifications, we provide the highest standard of quality. Our team continually develops new biomarker assays and has experience with hundreds more than represented in the brochure.
Contact us for any custom development!
April 14, 2026
Even the most carefully designed early-stage programs can encounter challenges that threaten to disrupt progress. When they do, resolving the issue quickly is essential to keeping research on track.
That was the case during a Lunaphore COMET-based multiplex immunofluorescence pilot study conducted at CellCarta’s California, Lake Forest laboratory. Following initiation of the project, it was discovered that the originally sourced samples did not meet the study’s unique requirements, placing the continuation of the pilot in doubt.
This case study examines how coordinated scientific and operational expertise helped restore continuity and preserve study momentum.
CellCarta was engaged by a big pharma company to provide multiplex immunofluorescence testing and data analysis, and to evaluate the capabilities of the Lunaphore COMET platform.
To support this objective, the Lake Forest team initiated development of an 8-plex multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) assay on the Lunaphore COMET platform, incorporating key immune markers: FoxP3, CD8, CD4, CD20, CD3, CD56, CD68, and Ki67.
In parallel with wet lab assay optimization, digital image analysis workflows were developed using HALO AI HighPlex FL, including AI-driven nuclear segmentation to support accurate cell phenotyping and quantification.
Assay development and algorithm optimization were progressing as planned when an unexpected complication emerged.
Immediately after study initiation, the client informed CellCarta that their procured samples had been collected under IRB-waived consent rather than full informed consent.
As the study required samples that met defined informed consent criteria, the existing materials were no longer suitable for use. With assay development and algorithm optimization already underway, the stakes were high: cancellation would not only have halted the pilot but delayed the customer’s broader technology and vendor assessment program — pushing back critical decisions about their future multiplex immunofluorescence strategy.
To preserve the pilot, the CellCarta Lake Forest team moved quickly to identify an alternative path forward. Replacement tissue samples meeting the study’s informed consent requirements were sourced through a preferred vendor within one week — but the speed of procurement was only part of the challenge.
Because study activities had already begun, the sample swap triggered a coordinated restart across assay development, pathology, digital pathology, procurement, and project management functions to realign the study materials and maintain continuity. Despite the steep operational hurdles involved, the customer experienced no delays and no degradation to the study.
Scientific innovation depends on momentum. When unforeseen challenges arise, biopharma companies need more than scientific expertise from their CRO partners; they need flexibility and coordinated problem-solving to keep studies moving forward.
The Lake Forest team’s integrated approach to assay development, digital pathology, and sample sourcing ensured that this COMET-based pilot could continue as intended. For sponsors navigating complex spatial biology studies, that responsiveness matters.
Working on an early-stage program?
Connect with CellCarta’s Lake Forest team to discuss how we can support your next milestone.
For over 20 years, CellCarta’s CLIA and CAP-accredited Lake Forest laboratory has supported pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors across preclinical, discovery, and clinical development programs. Key capabilities include:
Since its opening, the Lake Forest team has worked with over 230 sponsors on over 2,400 unique projects. Operating independently and capable of participating in multi-site joint studies, Lake Forest delivers the speed and flexibility required to advance early-stage programs with confidence.
About the Author:
Patrick Reese has served as Vice President, Operations for CellCarta US Histopathology Services since April of 2022. In his role, Patrick also serves as site head for the Lake Forest, California and Naperville, Illinois facilities.
Patrick has spent over 16 years in histopathology laboratory leadership across numerous regions of the United States in a variety of technical, operational leadership, consulting and business roles. He has designed and established pathology laboratories in numerous US States including North Carolina, Georgia, California, Ohio and Hawaii.
April 14, 2026
Even the most carefully designed early-stage programs can encounter challenges that threaten to disrupt progress. When they do, resolving the issue quickly is essential to keeping research on track.
That was the case during a Lunaphore COMET-based multiplex immunofluorescence pilot study conducted at CellCarta’s California, Lake Forest laboratory. Following initiation of the project, it was discovered that the originally sourced samples did not meet the study’s unique requirements, placing the continuation of the pilot in doubt.
This case study examines how coordinated scientific and operational expertise helped restore continuity and preserve study momentum.
CellCarta was engaged by a big pharma company to provide multiplex immunofluorescence testing and data analysis, and to evaluate the capabilities of the Lunaphore COMET platform.
To support this objective, the Lake Forest team initiated development of an 8-plex multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) assay on the Lunaphore COMET platform, incorporating key immune markers: FoxP3, CD8, CD4, CD20, CD3, CD56, CD68, and Ki67.
In parallel with wet lab assay optimization, digital image analysis workflows were developed using HALO AI HighPlex FL, including AI-driven nuclear segmentation to support accurate cell phenotyping and quantification.
Assay development and algorithm optimization were progressing as planned when an unexpected complication emerged.
Immediately after study initiation, the client informed CellCarta that their procured samples had been collected under IRB-waived consent rather than full informed consent.
As the study required samples that met defined informed consent criteria, the existing materials were no longer suitable for use. With assay development and algorithm optimization already underway, the stakes were high: cancellation would not only have halted the pilot but delayed the customer’s broader technology and vendor assessment program — pushing back critical decisions about their future multiplex immunofluorescence strategy.
To preserve the pilot, the CellCarta Lake Forest team moved quickly to identify an alternative path forward. Replacement tissue samples meeting the study’s informed consent requirements were sourced through a preferred vendor within one week — but the speed of procurement was only part of the challenge.
Because study activities had already begun, the sample swap triggered a coordinated restart across assay development, pathology, digital pathology, procurement, and project management functions to realign the study materials and maintain continuity. Despite the steep operational hurdles involved, the customer experienced no delays and no degradation to the study.
Scientific innovation depends on momentum. When unforeseen challenges arise, biopharma companies need more than scientific expertise from their CRO partners; they need flexibility and coordinated problem-solving to keep studies moving forward.
The Lake Forest team’s integrated approach to assay development, digital pathology, and sample sourcing ensured that this COMET-based pilot could continue as intended. For sponsors navigating complex spatial biology studies, that responsiveness matters.
Working on an early-stage program?
Connect with CellCarta’s Lake Forest team to discuss how we can support your next milestone.
For over 20 years, CellCarta’s CLIA and CAP-accredited Lake Forest laboratory has supported pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors across preclinical, discovery, and clinical development programs. Key capabilities include:
Since its opening, the Lake Forest team has worked with over 230 sponsors on over 2,400 unique projects. Operating independently and capable of participating in multi-site joint studies, Lake Forest delivers the speed and flexibility required to advance early-stage programs with confidence.
About the Author:
Patrick Reese has served as Vice President, Operations for CellCarta US Histopathology Services since April of 2022. In his role, Patrick also serves as site head for the Lake Forest, California and Naperville, Illinois facilities.
Patrick has spent over 16 years in histopathology laboratory leadership across numerous regions of the United States in a variety of technical, operational leadership, consulting and business roles. He has designed and established pathology laboratories in numerous US States including North Carolina, Georgia, California, Ohio and Hawaii.
April 14, 2026
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as one of the most promising therapeutic modalities in oncology. To date, 21 ADCs have been approved worldwide1, with hundreds more currently in clinical development.2 While a small group of established biomarkers—HER2, TROP2, EGFR, and Claudin18.2—currently dominate the field and account for more than half of ADC clinical pipelines3, the landscape is quickly evolving.
A growing number of new biomarker targets are now entering ADC development programs, reflecting both advances in tumor biology and increasing investment across the pharmaceutical industry. As these targets emerge, laboratories must stay ahead of the field to support their measurement and validation.
Beyond the dominating, established biomarkers, recent advances in tumor biology have identified a number of additional antigens with characteristics that make them promising ADC targets.
HER3, for example, which is commonly overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast cancer, has become the focus of several ADC programs, with the investigational therapy patritumab-deruxtecan showing promising efficacy in NSCLC and breast cancer.4
Similarly, B7-H4, an immune checkpoint protein, is overexpressed in several epithelial cancers while showing relatively limited expression in normal tissues, making it an attractive target for therapeutic development.5 In a phase-I dose-escalation trial, a B7-H4-directed dolasynthen ADC demonstrated promising antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile, highlighting the potential of this antigen as a therapeutic target.5
Other emerging targets are also gaining traction in ADC research. For example, ROR1 and CEACAM5 have been investigated as tumor-associated antigens in multiple solid tumors6,7, while CD142 (tissue factor) has been explored as a target for ADCs due to its role in tumor progression and angiogenesis.8
As researchers continue to identify tumor-associated proteins with favorable expression profiles and biological relevance, the number of potential ADC biomarkers will continue to grow.
As new ADC targets continue to be identified, accurately characterizing their expression within tumor tissues will be critical for the development of next-generation ADC therapies. For ADCs, both the level and spatial distribution of target antigen expression can directly influence drug binding, internalization, and ultimately therapeutic efficacy.
Many tumor-associated antigens display heterogeneous expression across tumor types, between patients, and even within different regions of the same tumor, making biomarker evaluation more complex.9 In addition, newly identified targets may lack well-established antibodies or validated assays, creating further challenges when attempting to assess target prevalence and suitability during early development.
To support the growing number of biomarker targets entering ADC development pipelines, we are expanding our portfolio of tissue-based biomarker assays at our California, Lake Forest laboratory. The site currently offers immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays for several established ADC targets and is actively developing assays for a range of emerging biomarkers identified through ongoing research across the ADC field (Table 1).
| Current ADC biomarker assays | Biomarkers coming in 2026 |
|---|---|
| B7H3 | CDCP1 |
| Claudin18.2 | B7-H4 |
| cMET | STEAP1 |
| DLL3 | CD25 |
| EGFR | HER3 |
| FOLR1 | CEACAM5 |
| HER2 | CD142 |
| Nectin2 | ROR1 |
| TROP2 | SEZ6 |
Table 1: Table to show current and emerging biomarker offering at the CellCarta Lake Forest Laboratory
At the Lake Forest facility, these targets are evaluated using singleplex and multiplex immunohistochemistry (IHC) and multiplex immunofluorescence, and spatial biology approaches, including COMET™, further enable high-plex analysis of biomarker expression within the tumour microenvironment. The site supports the rapid development of assays for emerging ADC biomarkers, enabling researchers to characterize antigen expression within tumor tissue and generate data that support biomarker discovery, target validation, and clinical development.
As ADC development continues to evolve, the range of tumor-associated antigens under investigation is expanding well beyond a small group of established targets. New biomarkers are emerging across multiple tumor types, reflecting both advances in tumor biology and growing interest from pharmaceutical developers.
As this landscape continues to broaden, the ability to rapidly evaluate and characterize emerging targets will be essential for translating new discoveries into viable ADC therapies.
Working on an ADC development program?
For over 20 years, CellCarta’s CLIA and CAP-accredited Lake Forest laboratory has supported pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors across preclinical, discovery, and clinical development programs. Key capabilities include:
Since its opening, the Lake Forest team has worked with over 230 sponsors on over 2,400 unique projects. Operating independently and capable of participating in multi-site joint studies, Lake Forest delivers the speed and flexibility required to advance early-stage programs with confidence.
Find out more about our Lake Forest lab and how it can support your early-stage programs
About the Author:
Steven Wilkes is a Scientific Business Director at CellCarta, specializing in the histopathology platform. Steven has 15+ years of experience in the field of histopathology at academic centers, large pharmaceutical companies, and clinical laboratories. At CellCarta, Steven uses his expertise to help our clients find the best scientific and technical solutions to address their program needs.
April 14, 2026
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as one of the most promising therapeutic modalities in oncology. To date, 21 ADCs have been approved worldwide1, with hundreds more currently in clinical development.2 While a small group of established biomarkers—HER2, TROP2, EGFR, and Claudin18.2—currently dominate the field and account for more than half of ADC clinical pipelines3, the landscape is quickly evolving.
A growing number of new biomarker targets are now entering ADC development programs, reflecting both advances in tumor biology and increasing investment across the pharmaceutical industry. As these targets emerge, laboratories must stay ahead of the field to support their measurement and validation.
Beyond the dominating, established biomarkers, recent advances in tumor biology have identified a number of additional antigens with characteristics that make them promising ADC targets.
HER3, for example, which is commonly overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast cancer, has become the focus of several ADC programs, with the investigational therapy patritumab-deruxtecan showing promising efficacy in NSCLC and breast cancer.4
Similarly, B7-H4, an immune checkpoint protein, is overexpressed in several epithelial cancers while showing relatively limited expression in normal tissues, making it an attractive target for therapeutic development.5 In a phase-I dose-escalation trial, a B7-H4-directed dolasynthen ADC demonstrated promising antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile, highlighting the potential of this antigen as a therapeutic target.5
Other emerging targets are also gaining traction in ADC research. For example, ROR1 and CEACAM5 have been investigated as tumor-associated antigens in multiple solid tumors6,7, while CD142 (tissue factor) has been explored as a target for ADCs due to its role in tumor progression and angiogenesis.8
As researchers continue to identify tumor-associated proteins with favorable expression profiles and biological relevance, the number of potential ADC biomarkers will continue to grow.
As new ADC targets continue to be identified, accurately characterizing their expression within tumor tissues will be critical for the development of next-generation ADC therapies. For ADCs, both the level and spatial distribution of target antigen expression can directly influence drug binding, internalization, and ultimately therapeutic efficacy.
Many tumor-associated antigens display heterogeneous expression across tumor types, between patients, and even within different regions of the same tumor, making biomarker evaluation more complex.9 In addition, newly identified targets may lack well-established antibodies or validated assays, creating further challenges when attempting to assess target prevalence and suitability during early development.
To support the growing number of biomarker targets entering ADC development pipelines, we are expanding our portfolio of tissue-based biomarker assays at our California, Lake Forest laboratory. The site currently offers immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays for several established ADC targets and is actively developing assays for a range of emerging biomarkers identified through ongoing research across the ADC field (Table 1).
| Current ADC biomarker assays | Biomarkers coming in 2026 |
|---|---|
| B7H3 | CDCP1 |
| Claudin18.2 | B7-H4 |
| cMET | STEAP1 |
| DLL3 | CD25 |
| EGFR | HER3 |
| FOLR1 | CEACAM5 |
| HER2 | CD142 |
| Nectin2 | ROR1 |
| TROP2 | SEZ6 |
Table 1: Table to show current and emerging biomarker offering at the CellCarta Lake Forest Laboratory
At the Lake Forest facility, these targets are evaluated using singleplex and multiplex immunohistochemistry (IHC) and multiplex immunofluorescence, and spatial biology approaches, including COMET™, further enable high-plex analysis of biomarker expression within the tumour microenvironment. The site supports the rapid development of assays for emerging ADC biomarkers, enabling researchers to characterize antigen expression within tumor tissue and generate data that support biomarker discovery, target validation, and clinical development.
As ADC development continues to evolve, the range of tumor-associated antigens under investigation is expanding well beyond a small group of established targets. New biomarkers are emerging across multiple tumor types, reflecting both advances in tumor biology and growing interest from pharmaceutical developers.
As this landscape continues to broaden, the ability to rapidly evaluate and characterize emerging targets will be essential for translating new discoveries into viable ADC therapies.
Working on an ADC development program?
For over 20 years, CellCarta’s CLIA and CAP-accredited Lake Forest laboratory has supported pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors across preclinical, discovery, and clinical development programs. Key capabilities include:
Since its opening, the Lake Forest team has worked with over 230 sponsors on over 2,400 unique projects. Operating independently and capable of participating in multi-site joint studies, Lake Forest delivers the speed and flexibility required to advance early-stage programs with confidence.
Find out more about our Lake Forest lab and how it can support your early-stage programs
About the Author:
Steven Wilkes is a Scientific Business Director at CellCarta, specializing in the histopathology platform. Steven has 15+ years of experience in the field of histopathology at academic centers, large pharmaceutical companies, and clinical laboratories. At CellCarta, Steven uses his expertise to help our clients find the best scientific and technical solutions to address their program needs.
April 14, 2026
External milestones place significant pressure on early-stage and translational programs.
That was the case during a rheumatoid arthritis study conducted for a biotech company at CellCarta’s Lake Forest, California laboratory. The project required the rapid development of two new multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) assays and their transition into clinical sample testing within a compressed timeline tied to an upcoming conference submission deadline.
Here, we highlight how the Lake Forest team combined rapid assay validation with coordinated clinical testing to deliver ahead of the sponsor’s deadline (Figure 1).
87 samples – both 6-plex mIF assays completed in 6 weeks and 9,000 data points delivered ahead of schedule.
Figure 1: Key milestones of the project at the Lake Forest laboratory. With coordination across teams, the lab was able to move from contract signing to conference-ready data in under 12 months, delivering to the client ahead of schedule.
The initial phase of the project focused on optimizing two six-plex multiplex immunofluorescence assays on the Akoya platform for use in rheumatoid arthritis tissue samples, a new indication for the Lake Forest Laboratory.
Optimization was carried out between May and December 2024, followed by validation staining and digital image analysis algorithm development in January and February 2025.
Due to the indication, algorithm development proved to be particularly complex, but through careful prioritization and close collaboration between the sponsor, pathology, image analysis scientists, and assay development scientists, the team managed to make quick progress to meet the required deadline.
During this phase, the team also created custom Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) evaluation forms for rheumatoid arthritis. These forms were developed to support both assay validation and future clinical sample review, enabling the same tailored pathology evaluation process to be applied across both stages of the project.
The 101 clinical FFPE block samples arrived at the Lake Forest laboratory on January 17, 2025, while assay validation was being finalized.
To keep the project aligned with the sponsor’s timeline for data delivery by the end of April, the team created a detailed plan for each department to execute as soon as the sponsor approved the full validation package. This close collaboration across assay development, laboratory operations, pathology, digital pathology, and data teams ensured efficient tissue sectioning, staining, and analysis workflows. With this in place, the Lake Forest team was able to:
Scientific and translational programs often operate against immovable deadlines. When that happens, sponsors need partners who can move quickly without compromising scientific rigor.
At Lake Forest, close coordination between assay development, pathology, and clinical operations allowed complex assay work and large-scale sample testing to proceed in parallel, helping the sponsor deliver critical data in time for their submission milestone.
Looking for a scientific partner for your next study? Connect with our team to find out how we can support your program.
For over 20 years, CellCarta’s CLIA and CAP-accredited Lake Forest laboratory has supported pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors across preclinical, discovery, and clinical development programs. Key capabilities include:
Since its opening, the Lake Forest team has worked with over 230 sponsors on over 2,400 unique projects. Operating independently and capable of participating in multi-site joint studies, Lake Forest delivers the speed and flexibility required to advance early-stage programs with confidence.
Find out more about our Lake Forest lab and how it can support your early-stage programs.
About the Author:
Andrea Reigel is the Director of US Project Management at CellCarta, leading teams across Lake Forest, CA and Naperville, IL in the delivery of complex clinical trial projects. With a B.S. in Biology, an MBA, and a PMP certification, she brings a mix of scientific knowledge, project management expertise, and strategic leadership to every engagement. At CellCarta, she guides major client partnerships, builds and develops operational teams, and drives process improvements that elevate customer service and project execution.
April 14, 2026
External milestones place significant pressure on early-stage and translational programs.
That was the case during a rheumatoid arthritis study conducted for a biotech company at CellCarta’s Lake Forest, California laboratory. The project required the rapid development of two new multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) assays and their transition into clinical sample testing within a compressed timeline tied to an upcoming conference submission deadline.
Here, we highlight how the Lake Forest team combined rapid assay validation with coordinated clinical testing to deliver ahead of the sponsor’s deadline (Figure 1).
87 samples – both 6-plex mIF assays completed in 6 weeks and 9,000 data points delivered ahead of schedule.
Figure 1: Key milestones of the project at the Lake Forest laboratory. With coordination across teams, the lab was able to move from contract signing to conference-ready data in under 12 months, delivering to the client ahead of schedule.
The initial phase of the project focused on optimizing two six-plex multiplex immunofluorescence assays on the Akoya platform for use in rheumatoid arthritis tissue samples, a new indication for the Lake Forest Laboratory.
Optimization was carried out between May and December 2024, followed by validation staining and digital image analysis algorithm development in January and February 2025.
Due to the indication, algorithm development proved to be particularly complex, but through careful prioritization and close collaboration between the sponsor, pathology, image analysis scientists, and assay development scientists, the team managed to make quick progress to meet the required deadline.
During this phase, the team also created custom Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) evaluation forms for rheumatoid arthritis. These forms were developed to support both assay validation and future clinical sample review, enabling the same tailored pathology evaluation process to be applied across both stages of the project.
The 101 clinical FFPE block samples arrived at the Lake Forest laboratory on January 17, 2025, while assay validation was being finalized.
To keep the project aligned with the sponsor’s timeline for data delivery by the end of April, the team created a detailed plan for each department to execute as soon as the sponsor approved the full validation package. This close collaboration across assay development, laboratory operations, pathology, digital pathology, and data teams ensured efficient tissue sectioning, staining, and analysis workflows. With this in place, the Lake Forest team was able to:
Scientific and translational programs often operate against immovable deadlines. When that happens, sponsors need partners who can move quickly without compromising scientific rigor.
At Lake Forest, close coordination between assay development, pathology, and clinical operations allowed complex assay work and large-scale sample testing to proceed in parallel, helping the sponsor deliver critical data in time for their submission milestone.
Looking for a scientific partner for your next study? Connect with our team to find out how we can support your program.
For over 20 years, CellCarta’s CLIA and CAP-accredited Lake Forest laboratory has supported pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors across preclinical, discovery, and clinical development programs. Key capabilities include:
Since its opening, the Lake Forest team has worked with over 230 sponsors on over 2,400 unique projects. Operating independently and capable of participating in multi-site joint studies, Lake Forest delivers the speed and flexibility required to advance early-stage programs with confidence.
Find out more about our Lake Forest lab and how it can support your early-stage programs.
About the Author:
Andrea Reigel is the Director of US Project Management at CellCarta, leading teams across Lake Forest, CA and Naperville, IL in the delivery of complex clinical trial projects. With a B.S. in Biology, an MBA, and a PMP certification, she brings a mix of scientific knowledge, project management expertise, and strategic leadership to every engagement. At CellCarta, she guides major client partnerships, builds and develops operational teams, and drives process improvements that elevate customer service and project execution.
November 13, 2025
Understanding how cells interact in their native context is critical for the development of novel therapeutics and effective diagnostics. Conventional assays or single-cell approaches often miss this layer of information, either by averaging signals across the tissue or by removing cells from their tissue environment. Spatial biology, on the other hand, preserves tissue architecture, allowing researchers to study cell type, location, and interaction together to reveal a more complete picture of disease biology.
Spatial biology provides researchers with insights that can directly inform therapeutic development and translational decision-making. By combining cellular detail with spatial context, it enables teams to:
Spatial biology methods generate exceptionally rich datasets that capture multiple layers of tissue complexity. One of the more common spatial biology approaches is multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF), which enables multiple markers to be visualized on a single tissue section. While these datasets bring enormous value, their size and complexity can make them difficult to interpret. When multiple imaging platforms are in use, workflows can become fragmented, and researchers risk generating data that cannot easily be integrated, slowing discovery and translation.
Realizing the full value of spatial biology requires standardized multiplex immunofluorescence protocols and structured workflows that can handle complex datasets and deliver clear, interpretable insights.
To simplify mIF workflows, CellCarta developed SPARTA (Spatial Phenotyping and Analysis in Regions of Tissue with AI)—a platform-agnostic framework that standardizes how datasets are processed and analyzed across imaging systems.
SPARTA incorporates:
By combining platform flexibility, advanced analytics, and tailored reporting, the SPARTA framework ensures that data from different platforms is processed consistently, so researchers can more easily extract meaningful patterns from complex datasets.
By revealing the organization of complex tissue environments and capturing cellular interactions, spatial biology continues to provide critical insights that shape drug development. mIF makes it possible to generate rich, multi-dimensional datasets that inform preclinical research and translational decisions. With structured workflows like SPARTA, supported by strong expertise and collaborations across assay development, pathology, imaging, and data science teams, this data can be transformed into tailored outputs that can help accelerate discovery, strengthen biomarker programs, and support clinical development.
About the author
Yannick Waumans is Executive Director of Histopathology Operations at CellCarta, where he oversees the Histopathology Lab Services, Technical Transfer Office, and Digital Pathology Solutions. With a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and over a decade of experience in histopathology, imaging, and image analysis, Yannick is an expert in advancing and operationalizing digital pathology technologies.
He is especially passionate about leveraging digital pathology to accelerate research and improve clinical outcomes.
November 13, 2025
Understanding how cells interact in their native context is critical for the development of novel therapeutics and effective diagnostics. Conventional assays or single-cell approaches often miss this layer of information, either by averaging signals across the tissue or by removing cells from their tissue environment. Spatial biology, on the other hand, preserves tissue architecture, allowing researchers to study cell type, location, and interaction together to reveal a more complete picture of disease biology.
Spatial biology provides researchers with insights that can directly inform therapeutic development and translational decision-making. By combining cellular detail with spatial context, it enables teams to:
Spatial biology methods generate exceptionally rich datasets that capture multiple layers of tissue complexity. One of the more common spatial biology approaches is multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF), which enables multiple markers to be visualized on a single tissue section. While these datasets bring enormous value, their size and complexity can make them difficult to interpret. When multiple imaging platforms are in use, workflows can become fragmented, and researchers risk generating data that cannot easily be integrated, slowing discovery and translation.
Realizing the full value of spatial biology requires standardized multiplex immunofluorescence protocols and structured workflows that can handle complex datasets and deliver clear, interpretable insights.
To simplify mIF workflows, CellCarta developed SPARTA (Spatial Phenotyping and Analysis in Regions of Tissue with AI)—a platform-agnostic framework that standardizes how datasets are processed and analyzed across imaging systems.
SPARTA incorporates:
By combining platform flexibility, advanced analytics, and tailored reporting, the SPARTA framework ensures that data from different platforms is processed consistently, so researchers can more easily extract meaningful patterns from complex datasets.
By revealing the organization of complex tissue environments and capturing cellular interactions, spatial biology continues to provide critical insights that shape drug development. mIF makes it possible to generate rich, multi-dimensional datasets that inform preclinical research and translational decisions. With structured workflows like SPARTA, supported by strong expertise and collaborations across assay development, pathology, imaging, and data science teams, this data can be transformed into tailored outputs that can help accelerate discovery, strengthen biomarker programs, and support clinical development.
About the author
Yannick Waumans is Executive Director of Histopathology Operations at CellCarta, where he oversees the Histopathology Lab Services, Technical Transfer Office, and Digital Pathology Solutions. With a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and over a decade of experience in histopathology, imaging, and image analysis, Yannick is an expert in advancing and operationalizing digital pathology technologies.
He is especially passionate about leveraging digital pathology to accelerate research and improve clinical outcomes.