Preclinical Safety Testing Experts

We are Accelera

Toxicology you can trust. Timelines you can count on.

Our Approach

01

We Learn Your Program

Your molecule, your timeline, your regulatory pathway. We map the full picture before a single study begins.

02

We Design Around Your Challenges 

Our toxicologists co-develop the study plan with you, anticipating gaps and regulatory hurdles before they become costly delays.

03

You Receive Submission-Ready Data 

Clean reports, on-schedule delivery, and a scientific team available to walk you through every finding.

A Legacy of Preclinical Excellence

Accelera builds on more than 60 years of pioneering pharmaceutical R&D, spanning groundbreaking oncology discoveries to today’s modern CRO services.

1965

Farmitalia establishes the Nerviano research center, pioneering anthracyclines (e.g., doxorubicin/Adriamycin), transforming cancer treatment.

1978

Farmitalia merges with Carlo Erba to form Farmitalia Carlo Erba (FICE), creating Europe’s leading oncology R&D hub.

1993

Acquired by Kabi Pharmacia (later Pharmacia after 1995 Upjohn merger).

2003

Pfizer acquires Pharmacia.

2004

Pfizer spins off Nerviano operations; Nerviano Medical Sciences (NMS) is founded as an independent oncology-focused entity.

2009

Accelera Srl becomes an independent CRO unit of NMS, offering third-party preclinical services built on decades of big-pharma expertise (Farmitalia → Pharmacia → Pfizer).

Today
We thrive as a premium-tier CRO

 Served >300 global pharma/biotech companies in Europe, US and South Korea

Formed key partnerships (e.g., DNDi, Cellectis, Karolinska Institutet).

Delivers integrated, high-quality preclinical solutions: toxicology, IND-enabling packages, consultancy and regulatory support.

Today, Accelera combines a rich heritage of in-house innovation with agile, client-focused CRO capabilities, accelerating regulatory-ready drug development worldwide.

Located in Greater Milan, Italy 

Prime accessibility:

~30 min to Malpensa Airport,
~40 min to Linate, direct highways & trains to Milan center. 

Your gateway to Europe’s top life sciences network.  

Mission
We improve patients’ health through our unwavering commitment to discover, develop, and deliver life-changing molecules.
Vision
Partnering together with Life Science companies to help them build a healthier and safer world.

Integrity

We uphold the highest ethical standards in science, data, and communication - delivering transparent, compliant, and trustworthy results that regulatory authorities and partners can rely on worldwide.

Collaboration

We succeed as "One Team" - working side-by-side with our clients' scientists to co-create solutions, proactively address challenges, and accelerate your pipeline with seamless, personalized partnership.

Accountability

We own every commitment - from study design to final report - ensuring timely execution, clear visibility, and full responsibility for quality, safety, and regulatory readiness.

Focus on Results

We prioritize outcomes that matter — generating high-quality, actionable data that de-risks decisions, supports IND submissions, and advances your compounds to the next milestone efficiently and effectively.

The principles powering Accelera’s premium preclinical excellence — every day, for every partner.

Accelera's Commitments

Quality at Accelera means trustworthy science, ethical innovation, and sustainable value — every study, every partner.

Commitment to Quality

At Accelera, quality is non-negotiable. Rooted in decades of pharmaceutical excellence, we deliver reliable, regulatory-ready preclinical data that accelerates your drug development with confidence. Our approach integrates rigorous standards, ethical responsibility, and strong ESG principles.

  • GLP-certified and AAALAC-accredited facilities, recognized by EMA, FDA, KFDA, and MHLW
  • Full compliance with international guidelines for scientific integrity and data reliability

We strictly follow the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement), prioritizing animal welfare through enriched environments, minimized distress, and continuous protocol refinement. We actively invest in in vitro, in silico, PBPK modeling, and other non-animal alternatives to reduce reliance on animal models while ensuring robust, translatable results.

We conduct all studies with transparency, scientific rigor, and accountability. Ethical review, harm-benefit analysis, and unbiased reporting are mandatory, ensuring research is justified, fair, and compliant.

We foster an inclusive, supportive workplace with health promotion programs, talent development, and fair practices. Through strategic partnerships, we support global health equity, neglected diseases, and rare conditions.

We reduce environmental impact via energy-efficient operations, waste minimization, sustainable procurement, and digital/alternative-method adoption, aligning business success with planetary responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of toxicology studies does Accelera offer?

We provide a comprehensive range of general toxicology studies, from non-GLP Dose Range Finding (DRF) to subchronic, chronic, and carcinogenicity studies. These cover pharmaceuticals (small molecules, biologics, vaccines), excipients, and other compounds, conducted in rodents and non-rodents via all major administration routes.

 Yes — all regulated studies are fully compliant with GLP standards and international guidelines (OECD, ICH). Our facilities are GLP-certified and AAALAC-accredited, ensuring data reliability for global regulatory submissions.

We design and execute optimized, integrated toxicology packages, including general tox, safety pharmacology, genotoxicity, TK evaluation, and reproductive toxicology (DART). Our experienced toxicologists collaborate closely to identify risks early, determine NOAELs/safe starting doses, and prepare regulatory-ready documentation.

Absolutely. We have extensive experience with biologics, NBEs, biosimilars, oligonucleotides, and cell-based therapies — addressing unique challenges like immunogenicity, immune complex disease, and species selection. 

We support all standard species (rodents and non-rodents) and major routes (oral, intravenous, infusion, intrathecal, subcutaneous, etc.), with full TK/PK integration.

We strictly adhere to Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement principles, investing in in vitro, in silico, and other non-animal approaches to minimize animal use while maintaining robust, translatable data. 

Yes — our team offers strategic advice, regulatory strategy development, agency interactions, and documentation support to navigate evolving global requirements. 

Timelines vary by study type (e.g., acute vs. chronic), species, and complexity. We provide realistic estimates upfront and prioritize efficient execution without compromising quality — contact us for a tailored proposal. 

Simply reach out via our website contact form, email (info@accelera.org). Our experts are ready to discuss your needs, arrange visits, and deliver a customized proposal. 

With over 60 years of heritage at the Nerviano site, deep big-pharma expertise (Farmitalia  Pfizer  NMS), and a track record serving >300 global clients, we combine scientific rigor, proactive collaboration, and on-time delivery to de-risk your pipeline and accelerate success. 

Accelera combines decades of high-level big-pharma expertise with the flexibility and personalized attention small biotechs need. We offer customer-tailored services, close scientific collaboration, and cost-effective, optimized programswithout the bureaucracy of mega-CROs. Our track record includes serving >300 global pharma and biotech clients, with a strong emphasis on startups, academics, and emerging companies. 

Small biotech and startups are a core priority for us. We provide flexible, integrated solutionsfrom proof-of-concept to full IND-enabling packagesdesigned specifically for resource-constrained innovators. Our teams work side-by-side with yours to address unique challenges (e.g., novel modalities like cell therapies, biosimilars, or oligonucleotides), proactively solve issues, and maximize value from limited budgets and timelines. 

  • Tailored, efficient programs — Customized IND/CTA packages, non-GLP DRF to GLP chronic tox, and integrated ADME/TK — helping you advance candidates faster and smarter. 
  • Proactive partnership — Scientists collaborate directly to identify risks early, refine designs, and avoid costly delays. 
  • Regulatory-ready quality — GLP/AAALAC-accredited, with data accepted by EMA, FDA, KFDA, MHLW — giving small teams confidence in submissions. 

Yeswe specialize in supporting innovative pipelines with limited internal infrastructure. Our agile approach includes high-throughput profiling, in silico predictions, alternative methods (3Rs focus), and strategic consulting to stretch resources, de-risk decisions, and extend runways while delivering high-quality, translatable data.

Partner with Accelera’s Scientific Team

Let’s discuss how our preclinical toxicology and safety expertise can accelerate your drug development program.

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