ITI Life Sciences to focus on 3D assays
3-dimensional cell-based assays with fluorescence lifetime
detection technology that aims to address a significant bottleneck
in the drug discovery and development process.
The cost developing new drugs has increased substantially during the last decade but the number of new drugs on the market does not reflect this increase. This indicates inefficiencies in the drug discovery and development process.
Recent advances in assay technology, instrumentation and automation have facilitated an expansion in cell-based screening at several stages of the drug discovery process and it is estimated that at least 50 per cent of all drug discovery assays are now cell-based.
The Scottish institute has invested £3.7 million (€5.3 million) in an R&D programme focused on developing pharmaceutical screening technologies. Initially the programme is focused on developing cell-based screening assays for breast cancer therapies, with plans to expand to other important disease areas as the technology develops.
A spokeswoman for ITI life sciences told DrugResearcher.com: "Our market intelligence report into cell-based screening identified a significant market need for earlier and faster screening of drug candidates using more physiologically relevant models."
"The fluorescence technology has levels of discrimination and sensitivity that allow optimal use of these complex models."
ITI, which has a minimum of £150 million from the Scottish government, plans to invest in life sciences over ten years. They have committed £3.7 million over three years to this programme, as part of a collaboration, which includes Edinburgh Instruments, Hannah InterActions and CSS-Albachem.
The companies will provide expertise to develop and commercialise fluorescence lifetime cell-based assay products, including frozen 3-D cell systems ready for screening, unique fluorescence-linked reagents, optics and detection instruments.
Commenting on the future, the spokeswoman said: "We plan to market the fluorescence lifetime cell-based pharmaceutical screening instrumentation and cell-based assays to pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide. We also see opportunities for marketing to research institutions."
Cell-based screening is a key step in the drug discovery and development process. The technique is used to evaluate cellular mechanisms of disease as well as the effects of new drug candidates on cellular structures and processes. The resulting information is vital to pharmaceutical companies allowing selection of the most appropriate compounds to develop further.
The spokeswoman said: "The global market for cell-based pharmaceutical screening in 2004 is anticipated to be approximately $750 million, with an annual growth rate of 20 per cent."
The use of sophisticated fluorescence-detection methods is set to account for two thirds of the read-out systems for cell-based screening.
One of the main advantages of cell-based assays allows screening under physiological conditions providing information on a compound that cannot be obtained from a biochemical assay. These assays can select against compounds that are generally cytotoxic, or cannot permeate cellular membranes to reach intracellular targets. Thus hit and lead compounds identified through cell-based assays have passed important validation steps, saving time and costs in the development of a drug.
3-D cell screens are expected to provide the best in vitro models, but will require complementary advances in cell culture techniques, fluorescence-linked assay technologies and state-of-the-art optics and detection instruments.
When asked about similar programmes taking place, either in the UK or worldwide, the spokeswoman said: "High content and 3-D screening is currently an area of both academic and commercial interest. This exemplified at a recent conference 'Tissue Models for Drug Discovery' in Boston, USA in November 2004."
