January 25, 2026
As the obesity and metabolic disease landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, sponsors are increasingly challenged to translate cutting-edge molecular and genetic insights into predictive, clinically relevant outcomes.
This week, Envol Biomedical will be on the ground in Colorado as part of the upcoming Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology, engaging directly with academic and industry leaders shaping the next generation of therapeutic development.
With a strong foundation in non-human primate (NHP) pharmacology and toxicology, Envol Biomedical views Keystone as a critical forum for understanding where the science is heading—and how preclinical models must evolve to meet those demands.
Why this Keystone Meeting Matters for Translational Science
This Keystone Symposia brings together researchers working at the intersection of molecular biology, genetics, and therapeutic innovation. For Envol, the value of this meeting lies not only in the scientific content, but in the conversations it enables around real-world research challenges—particularly in obesity and cardiometabolic disease.
Significant investment continues to flow into next-generation obesity therapeutics, expanding well beyond first-wave GLP-1 targets. As sponsors explore new mechanisms, combination approaches, and differentiated safety profiles, understanding how molecular signals translate into whole-body outcomes becomes essential. Keystone provides a unique environment to explore these questions alongside the scientists defining the field.
Integrating Molecular Tools with Predictive In Vivo Models
Advances in CRISPR, gene editing, single-cell omics, and biomarker discovery are rapidly reshaping how researchers think about target validation and mechanism of action. Envol’s perspective centers on how these tools can be meaningfully integrated into NHP study design to improve translational relevance.
Non-human primate models offer unparalleled genetic and physiological similarity to humans, particularly for complex metabolic and cardiometabolic disorders that cannot be fully replicated in vitro. By combining molecular endpoints with established in vivo readouts—such as body composition, metabolic status, and tissue-specific effects—Envol helps sponsors generate data that better predicts clinical performance.
From Pharmacology to Safety: A Complete Translational Picture
A key message Envol will emphasize at Keystone is the importance of evaluating both pharmacology and safety early and in parallel. Understanding how a therapeutic works is only part of the equation; identifying potential liabilities and off-target effects is equally critical for advancing programs with confidence.
Envol supports this integrated approach through:
- Sophisticated imaging techniques such as DEXA scanning to assess body composition changes
- Advanced surgical and serial sampling methods to enable tissue-level insight
- Strategic biomarker selection aligned with mechanism of action and disease biology
- Study design expertise that links molecular endpoints with functional and safety outcomes
This combination allows sponsors to answer not just whether a drug is working, but how, where, and at what cost in terms of safety and tolerability.
Navigating Regulatory Expectations in a Shifting Landscape
Another recurring theme at Keystone—and across the industry—is ongoing uncertainty around regulatory expectations, particularly regarding animal versus non-animal methodologies. Envol actively engages in these discussions to help sponsors navigate evolving guidance and select the right tools for each development stage.
While alternative methods play an important role, complex diseases such as obesity and cardiometabolic disorders often require integrated in vivo systems to capture systemic effects, distribution, and long-term safety. Envol positions non-human primate studies as a critical component of a modern, fit-for-purpose development toolbox—used thoughtfully and strategically alongside emerging technologies.
A GLP-Ready Partner for the Next Phase of Growth
As Envol continues its transition toward full GLP compliance, the company enters 2026 with expanded capabilities, new talent, and significant technology investments coming to fruition. This transformation supports Envol’s mission to provide a domestic, high-performing, and cost-effective alternative for sponsors—particularly small and mid-sized companies seeking responsive, high-quality preclinical support without relying on overseas models. At Keystone, Envol looks forward to both learning from the latest scientific advances and sharing how its proven NHP models, historical datasets, and translational expertise can help accelerate the development of safer, more effective obesity and metabolic disease therapies.