CETEC: How a preclinical research center operates at an international standard
16/04/2026
The Preclinical Studies Center (CETEC) at Einstein Hospital Israelita, which celebrates 20 years of operation, has reached a new milestone: achieving international EQIPD (Enhancing Quality in Preclinical Data) accreditation, becoming the only accredited preclinical research center in Latin America.
But in practice, what does it mean to operate under this level of quality in preclinical research?
EQIPD is an international certification that evaluates how data is generated prior to clinical stages. It focuses on three core pillars: integrity, traceability, and reproducibility—essential criteria to ensure that results can support decision-making throughout the development of new healthcare technologies.
EQIPD accreditation positions CETEC as a preclinical evidence-generation environment aligned with international standards, bringing greater reliability, consistency, and predictability to decisions across the development of projects aimed at new health therapies.
The role of data in the preclinical phase
Before any technology reaches clinical practice, it undergoes preclinical validation—a critical stage in which parameters such as safety, efficacy, and technical feasibility are defined. These data guide all subsequent development, including regulatory and strategic decisions. For this reason, how the data is generated is just as important as the results themselves. EQIPD accreditation reinforces this standard from an international perspective, highlighting the consistency of the processes in place.
Why does this matter for large companies and startups?
For organizations developing healthcare solutions, the preclinical phase is one of the most sensitive stages of development. Structured environments with high-quality standards enable:
- generation of more consistent evidence
- smoother interactions with regulatory bodies
- more reliable data-driven decision-making
In practice, this directly impacts how technologies advance and their path toward adoption in healthcare.
EQIPD joins two other CETEC certifications that position the center within an international quality standard aligned with healthcare research and development requirements:
- Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) recognition by INMETRO
- AAALAC International accreditation
According to Luciana Cintra, CETEC’s manager, these certifications are interconnected and complementary:
“GLP primarily aims to meet regulatory requirements for the validation and approval of new products by relevant agencies; AAALAC focuses on ethics and best practices in animal care; and EQIPD ensures data reliability. Together, these initiatives demonstrate the quality of the projects carried out in our facilities, led by a highly qualified team.”
EQIPD accreditation reflects a growing trend in the sector: increasing demand for robust and reliable data in the early stages of healthcare development. As technologies become more complex—especially in areas such as biotechnology and medical devices—the quality of preclinical evidence becomes even more critical.
