Biotech firm’s deal in US boosts cardiac safety

MACCLESFIELD biotech company Cyprotex has announced a strategic partnership deal with ion channel specialists Cytocentrics in the US.

As part of the agreement, Cytocentrics will provide equipment, cell lines, expertise and training to allow Cyprotex to provide a panel of different ion channel assays from its Watertown site, near Boston.

A consortium in the USA known as CiPA (Comprehensive in Vitro Proarrythmia Assay) is currently evaluating an idea for anew regulatory cardiac safety testing using in silico and in vitro methods. CiPA is co-sponsored by the Cardiac Safety Research Consortium (CSRC), the Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This will enable Cyprotex to offer a fully comprehensive package of in vitro cardiac safety services which focus on key testing methods currently being addressed within the CiPA initiative.

The introduction of the new ion channel services will not only allow Cyprotex to offer cardiac safety testing but will also allow screening for potential biological effects on ion channels and so will extend Cyprotex’s bioscience capabilities.

Anthony Baxter chief executive of Cyprotex, said: “Regulatory cardiac safety testing for new pharmaceuticals is expected to change in the near future with a greater focus on in vitro and in silico methods.

“Cyprotex is well placed to address this trend and will have the capability to offer a comprehensive package of in vitro cardiac services through its existing offerings and through our new partnership with Cytocentrics.”

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