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Multiplex Immunofluorescence (mIF)

From slide to strategy: Accelerate decisions with multiplexed insight

Multiplex Immunofluorescence (mIF) is a powerful biomarker analysis platform enabling the simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers in a tissue section. It utilises fluorescence-based labeling and detection technologies and high-resolution imaging systems to provide spatial and phenotypic information at the cellular level.

 

Unlike traditional single-marker staining, mIF enables visualisation of multiple biomarkers simultaneously in situ revealing the intimate spatial relationships between cells and tissue structures. This allows one to precisely characterise tissue dynamics and biomarker distribution. mIF is an invaluable tool in oncology research, for example, where it is used to elucidate the tumor microenvironment, immune cell infiltration, biomarker co-expression and co-localisation patterns. mIF can be an invaluable tool for understanding disease mechanisms, accelerating biomarker discovery and supporting drug development. 

ICON offers mIF as part of our specialised histopathology, translational science, and biomarker development solutions. This technology delivers:

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Deeper biological insights

  • Simultaneous biomarker detection offering richer spatial and cellular context.
  • Tumor microenvironment profiling - useful in oncology to characterise immune cell infiltration and tumor heterogeneity.
  • Spatial biology advantage revealing co-localisation and spatial dynamics
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Accelerated drug development

  • Biomarker validation enables precise identification and validation of predictive and prognostic biomarkers.
  • Mechanism of action studies illuminates drug-tissue interactions for target validation.
  • Supports the identification of responder vs. non-responder populations for clinical trials.
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Higher ROI on sample collections

  • Maximised data from FFPE samples
  • Enhances data yield per sample, lowering patient burden and costs
  • Cost-effective discovery, accelerating biomarker pipelines without major infrastructure investment.
     

ICON’s miF services

ICON offers a comprehensive suite of mIF services, including:

Study design consultation: Helping you design the optimal mIF panel and experimental workflow tailored to your specific research goals.

Antibody panel development & validation: Selecting, optimising, and validating antibody panels to ensure specific, reproducible, and sensitive marker detection.

Tissue processing & staining: Handling sample preparation, fixation, sectioning, and multiplex staining using optimised protocols.

Imaging & data acquisition: Using advanced fluorescence imaging platforms to capture high-quality multiplex images.

Image analysis & quantification: AI-powered analytics for biomarker expression and spatial relationships.

Data interpretation & reporting: Expert insights with visualisations and detailed reporting.

 

Spatial biology using multiplex immunofluorescence

ICON has developed a customised workflow to support the aspirations of clinical spatial biology research. Our core capability leverages Akoya Biosciences industry-leading labeling, detection, and imaging technologies. The Akoya system enables quantitative analysis of cellular phenotypes and biomarkers using multi-spectral imaging and spectral unmixing technologies. 

ICON can deploy off-the-shelf signature panels such as the Akoya’s PhenoCode panels as well as provide custom developed and validated panels across various disease indications to fit your needs. 

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Image Analysis

By virtue of multiplex immunofluorescence technologies, advanced software analytics can be used to quantify, phenotype, and characterise microenvironment dynamics. ICON offers AI-powered image analysis using Visiopharm PhenoPlex software to provide several types of assessment including phenotyping, cell and sub-cellular analysis, nearest neighbor analysis, and cellular infiltration analysis, which is commonly used to classify tumor responsiveness as immune hot, cold, or ignored.

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Drive smarter trials with ICON’s Multiplex Immunofluorescence services. 

Discover how our comprehensive services—from panel design to AI-powered image analysis—can generate richer biological insights, streamlining your path to clinical decision-making, accelerating trial timelines, enhancing data quality, and improving outcomes with spatial biology at the core.

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