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Axxam and Tessara collaborate to advance next-generation neuroscience drug discovery using human-relevant 3D models
19 May 2026
Milan, Italy and Melbourne, Australia – Axxam S.p.A., a leading provider of integrated early drug discovery services, and Tessara Therapeutics Pty Ltd., a pioneer in advanced human-relevant 3D neural models, announce a strategic collaboration to enable next-generation neuroscience drug screening by combining Tessara’s proprietary RealBrain® 3D neural micro-tissues with Axxam’s expertise in high-content imaging and phenotypically enriched target-based drug discovery workflows.
Aligned with the growing adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), these three-dimensional (3D) human cellular models represent an evolution in the predictive modelling of human biology, improving early assessment of efficacy and safety while reducing reliance on animal testing. In this context, Axxam leverages its high-content screening (HCS) and image-based readouts to explore the dynamic behaviors of cells and neural networks within the 3D environments provided by Tessara’s micro-tissues.
The integrated workflow enables:
- Deeper understanding of drug responses and mechanisms of action
- Enhanced prediction of neurotoxicity and safety risks
- Improved target validation in physiologically relevant systems
- High-content, multiparametric analysis of complex neural phenotypes
- Seamless integration into scalable drug discovery pipelines
By bridging cutting-edge biology with robust screening technologies, Axxam and Tessara aim to enhance the translational value of preclinical studies and accelerate the development of innovative therapies for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.
“Our collaboration with Tessara represents a significant step forward in the evolution of neuroscience drug discovery,” said Ciriaco Maraschiello, CEO of Axxam. “By combining advanced 3D human models with our phenotypic screening and target-based drug discovery expertise, we can generate higher-quality data earlier in the process, ultimately increasing the probability of success in later stages of Drug Discovery and Development.”
“Partnering with Axxam brings the RealBrain® platform together with a world-class drug discovery organisation recognised for its expertise in assay development, high-content screening and phenotypic analysis,” said Dr Christos Papadimitriou, CEO and Founder of Tessara Therapeutics. “This collaboration offers the industry a powerful new way to study human neural biology at scale and generate more meaningful insights into drug efficacy, safety and mechanisms of action. We see this collaboration as an important step towards establishing a new benchmark for neuroscience drug screening and therapeutic development.”
About Axxam S.p.A.
Axxam S.p.A. is a leading provider of integrated discovery services across the life sciences industry. We support pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, start-ups, patient foundations, and academic groups throughout their journey, from AI-enabled target identification to wet-lab target validation, hit identification, and lead generation, across all therapeutic areas and target classes.
Our services include assay development, high-throughput screening, using either Axxam’s high quality compound collections (synthetic and natural) or those provided by clients, hit validation, hit-to-lead and compound management.
The same science-driven approach is also applied to the identification of novel bioactive compounds for crop protection, animal health, and the food, beverage, pet food, cosmetics, and fragrance industries. For more information, visit www.axxam.com.
About Tessara Therapeutics Pty Ltd.
Tessara Therapeutics is a Melbourne-based biotechnology company pioneering RealBrain®, a human-relevant 3D neural micro-tissue platform designed to transform neurological drug discovery. Tessara’s “mini-brains” replicate key structural and functional features of human brain tissue, enabling more predictive screening of drug candidates for neurodegenerative and other neurological conditions.
Tessara combines advances in tissue engineering, biomaterials, automation, data science and artificial intelligence to create scalable, reproducible and clinically relevant models of the human brain. Its RealBrain® platform supports drug efficacy, toxicity and disease-modelling studies, helping pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies generate deeper insights earlier in the development process. For more information, visit www.tessaratx.com.