Trega Biosciences Launches Enhanced Version of Its iDEA(TM) Predictive Model for Drug Absorption
- New Model Enables Researchers to Streamline Drug Discovery Efforts -
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Trega Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRGA), focused on commercializing technologies and products for accelerating drug discovery and development, today announced the launch of an enhanced version of its iDEA(TM) predictive model for drug absorption. A key feature of the new module is that it uses data from in vitro studies with Caco-2 cells to predict drug absorption in the body. Caco-2 is a cell line widely used within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry as a surrogate to measure intestinal drug transport. The use of the data derived from Caco-2 cells further simplifies the input required to generate prediction of human absorption, thereby helping researchers more efficiently select the best drug candidate for development.
"Although Caco-2 cells have been used widely within the industry to generate drug transport data, Trega's enhanced absorption model represents the first externally validated predictive model to effectively use this data to confidently predict drug absorption in humans," said George Grass, Pharm.D., Ph.D., Trega's chief technology officer. "The model has been tested and validated using the same external data set from the recently successful iDEA(TM) validation study conducted in conjunction with F. Hoffman-La Roche."
Michael Grey, Trega's president and CEO, stated, "We believe that this enhancement to our absorption model will enable broader use of the iDEA(TM) predictive model by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. By decreasing the amount of data required to evaluate the absorption characteristics of a compound and by offering researchers a way to streamline discovery, more compounds can be examined earlier in the process. Trega's iDEA(TM) predictive model enables the evaluation of drug absorption in man both more rapidly and predictively than other currently used methods, which rely on extensive animal experimentation."
The iDEA(TM) predictive model, an acronym for In Vitro Determination for the Estimation of ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion), was developed by Trega with a consortium of prominent pharmaceutical companies. The absorption model was constructed to simulate the physiological process of drug absorption, and incorporates human physiological parameters. The model is trained with a proprietary database of in vitro and human in vivo pharmacokinetic data for selected drugs and drug candidates, including many that failed in the development process. This training set of compounds is unique in that it represents a very diverse set of drug properties. Trega plans to introduce a metabolism model at the end of this year and subsequently intends to develop additional models that will enable the complete prediction of bioavailability.
Trega Biosciences, Inc. is a premier provider of products that accelerate and improve drug discovery through its iDiscovery(TM) technologies linking biology and chemistry with information technologies. Trega's iDEA(TM) family of information-based models simulate, in silico, how drug candidates will be processed in the body, thereby enabling selection of those with optimal characteristics for clinical development. Together with its iDEA(TM) products, Trega's ChemFolio(R) libraries of information-enhanced small molecules are designed to facilitate the identification and optimization of drug candidates. For additional information on Trega, please visit our Web site at trega.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including whether the Company's resources are sufficient to enable it to reach its objectives as described above, whether the iDEA(TM) software will be successfully completed, operated or commercialized, whether any research to be conducted as described will be successful, the impact of competitive products and pricing, in marketing success, whether any corporate collaborations or alliances will be formed or will be successful, and other risks detailed from time to time in Trega's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements represent Trega's judgment as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. Trega disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Trega Biosciences, Inc.
CO: Trega Biosciences, Inc.
ST: California
IN: MTC BIO
SU:
08/15/2000 07:01 EDT prnewswire.com |
