Cyprotex launches eCiphrCardio cardiotoxicity service
To assess compounds in early drug development
Cyprotex, a specialist preclinical contract research organisation (CRO) headquartered in Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK, has launched eCiphrCardio, an assay to assess potential cardiotoxicity of compounds in early drug development. The assay is based on microelectrode array (MEA) technology.
Cardiotoxicity is one of the main toxicological reasons for drug attrition during the drug development process. eCiphrCardio is a high throughput in vitro assay used to screen compounds to detect any potentially adverse effects on cardiac function and is available on the Maestro MEA system from Axion Biosystems. The MEA Maestro system has proven to be a robust, high-throughput platform to test for drug effects on clinically relevant cardiac electrophysiological features.
The new assay complements Cyprotex’ CellCiphr Premier assay which is used to screen compounds for the potential for drug-induced hepatotoxicity.
Anthony Baxter, Chief Executive Officer of Cyprotex, said: ‘Screening for drug-induced cardiotoxicity continues to be a major requirement by the regulatory agencies. eCiphrCardio complements our comprehensive portfolio of assays to address potential toxicity concerns early in the drug development process. It improves the prediction of cardiotoxicity by providing relevant mechanistic insights. We are now applying the MEA system for additional applications including the development of a new neurotoxicity screen, expected to be launched in the near future.’
