ADMET service from NiKem

NiKem Research says it has developed its ADMET capabilities to such an extent that it can offer them as a service to customers involved in drug discovery.

Italy's NiKem Research has launched a new assay service for ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicology) to customers involved in drug discovery.

The Explora ADMET service consists of a range of in vitro assays that are tailored toward incorporating early ADMET information into medicinal chemistry efforts.

Early ADMET is already a key component of NiKem's OptiLead Platform, and a constant investment into early ADMET prediction has enabled NiKem to develop its internal capacity to the point where they can now offer it as a stand-alone service.

There are two parts to the system. The Reveal Assays are a collection of basic, essential in vitro assays for the quick identification of the important developability information that helps guide the lead optimisation process. A set of Focus Assays are also available to probe developability parameters in finer detail when needed, for example in the later stages of lead optimisation or when a promising class of compounds exhibits unfavourable results in the initial Reveal Assays, according to NiKem.

The assays cover parameters such as CYP450 inhibition, metabolic stability, permeability and cellular toxicity. In addition, NiKem is adding a blood brain barrier permeability assay and a HERG channel-based QT prolongation test.