Cyprotex gets peer approval
Marianne Barriaux reports on how the technology and information company, which is trying to test drugs by computer instead of on humans and rats, has had a boost with the news it is to have its results published
Cyprotex, the drug discovery technology and information company, has received peer-approved publication of its “virtual human and rat” system known as Cloe PK.
The technology developed by the group enables scientists to predict the level, duration and toxicity of a drug in the body using a computer, which means that trials on animals and humans are not needed.
The details of results for Cloe PK have been accepted for publication by Drug Metabolism and Disposition, which is a peer-reviewed journal encompassing work in the scientific area.
Dr David Leahy, Cyprotex founder and chief technical officer, said: “Peer-reviewed acceptance of our work on Cloe PK is an important landmark and a clear endorsement of Cyprotex’s scientific excellence.” The company has also been awarded a grant by the Department of Trade and Industry to extend the group’s predictive technologies in the invention of new drugs.
This follows Cyprotex’s recent announcement that it is forming its own research group, Cyprotex Research, which will work at eradicating all side effects and toxicity of a drug at the earliest stages of drug discovery.
Leahy said: “Our technology, along with new methodologies, which we will develop as a result of the Department of Trade and Industry grant, will help us to make the next step in our drive towards understanding and eradicating the problems associated with how new drugs are processed by the body.”