GE Healthcare launches FTA DMPK sample cards
Traditionally, serum samples for preclinical development and clinical trials needed to be taken in volumes of up to 500µl to ensure they could be collected, transported and processed effectively, despite the fact only around 10-20µl is required for analysis.
A GE spokesman told Outsourcing-pharma that, in contrast, the new FTA DMPK A and B cards, which are made by the firm's Whatman unit, store samples as dried blood spots (DBS), reducing the serum volumes required, meaning that, for example, fewer animals are needed for preclinical studies.
“With DBS you collect 15-20ul in a capillary, often directly from the animal or subject and drop that volume onto a card as whole blood. The simpler handling procedure [offered by the FTA DMPK cards] makes this possible.”
He added that: “CROs and drug companies are already testing and using the cards,” and suggested that the “overall the reduction in animals, elimination of card-ice and freezers, and shipping logistics result in a significant overall saving per study.”
GE Healthcare also said it is the only supplier of sample cards that feature chemically-treated substrates that eliminate viruses and prevent bacterial contamination which improve sample durability and makes the handling and transport process safer and easier.
Such advantages are likely to catch the eye of the early phase research sector as they provide a way of reducing the cost of contract development work, which can only help attract more business from sponsors.
Additionally, the logistical handling and stability advantages GE claims for the cards are a better fit for the increasingly globalised contract research industry where more and more studies are being carried out at multiple sites or in regions where sample transport can be problematic.
