Gentronix deal boosts CRL’s genotoxicity service offering

14-Sep-2010 - Last updated on 15-Sep-2010 at 07:58 GMT

Charles River Laboratories (CRL) is strengthening its genotoxicity screening service by offering Gentronix’s BlueScreen HC.

Screening with BlueScreen HC identifies potential genotoxicity issues earlier in development. By obtaining this information early in development CRL can help clients make modifications which could reduce attrition, saving time and money.

Steve Beasley, commercial director at Gentronix, told Outsourcing-Pharma that BlueScreen HC performs a similar role to green fluorescent protein (GFP) assays, but offers some advantages. Notably, BlueScreen HC avoids licensing issues associated with GFP assay service provision.

Consequently, BlueScreen HC is potentially attractive to contract research organisations (CRO). Beasley said talks with a number of other CROs interested in using BlueScreen HC are ongoing. Gentronix also provides BlueScreen HC as a service.

Providing CROs with BlueScreen HC broadens the reach of the technology and increases exposure for Gentronix. Consequently, making the assay available as a service through a number of providers is in the interest of Gentronix and companies trying to access BlueScreen HC.

Gentronix worked closely with CRL to ensure the CRO is comfortable using the assay. This involved providing Gentronix scientists to CRL and performing validation work. Beasley said Gentronix found CRL to be diligent and was impressed by operations at the CRO.

BlueScreen HC

Using BlueScreen HC companies can quickly and accurately perform genotoxicity screening, said Beasley, making the process an attractive option for a wider range of businesses. Gentronix products help biopharm and CROs unravel seemingly conflicting genotoxicity data, said Beasley.

“BlueScreen HC uses Gaussia luciferase to detect the up-regulation of a key reporter gene, GADD-45a, in response to genotoxic stress and can detect all known classes of genotoxins” said Gentronix. CRL will also offer BlueScreen HC with metabolic activation to detect pro-genotoxins.

In a press statement Brian Bathgate, senior vice president, global preclinical services at CRL, said offering BlueScreen HC will help clients perform “discovery and development of new drug compounds faster and more cost effectively”.