Beantown Biotech

Beantown Biotech is a Boston-area contract research organization founded in 2012, focused on accelerating drug discovery through comprehensive assay development and screening services. The company operates a 6,000 square foot facility in Billerica, Massachusetts and specializes in discovery biology with expertise across biophysical, biochemical, and cell-based assays.

Core Capabilities

Assay Development & Screening:

• Biochemical and cell-based assay development
• Screening and profiling assays
• Hit identification, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization
• High-content imaging and live-cell analysis

Molecular & Cellular Analysis:

• Flow cytometry for cell surface markers, intracellular proteins, and cellular responses
• Gene expression assays (qPCR and dPCR)
• Mechanism of action studies
• Cytokine and biomarker characterization
• Molecular and cellular biology services

Advanced Platforms:

• DiscoverX assays (HitHunter®, PathHunter®, KINOMEscan®) for target engagement and kinase profiling
• Digital PCR (dPCR) for rare mutation detection and copy number variation analysis
• HTRF (Homogeneous Time-Resolved Fluorescence) for binding and signaling assays
• Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) immunoassays with electrochemiluminescence detection
• NanoBRET target engagement assays
• AlphaLISA bead-based detection
• Nano-Glo HiBiT protein detection
• CellTiter-Glo cell viability assays
• Incucyte S3 live-cell imaging
• Automated Western blotting (Jess)

Supporting Services:

• PK/PD studies
• Ex-vivo analysis
• Cellular assay support and pellet generation
• Biophysical characterization
• Collaboration with mass spectrometry and proteomics partners

The company emphasizes rapid turnaround, open communication, and client-focused partnerships, positioning itself as an extension of client research teams.