SAN DIEGO, July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Trega Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRGA),
a company focused on commercializing technologies and products for
accelerating drug discovery and development, today announced that following a
successful validation study of its IDEA(TM) predictive model for drug
absorption, F. Hoffmann-LaRoche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland, has taken an initial
license to the software product for use in its drug discovery activities.
Financial terms of the license were not disclosed.
The blinded study conducted by Trega encompassed a diverse set of eight
drug compounds from different therapeutic classes and had a wide range of
physical and chemical properties. Roche selected and supplied the compounds
to Trega and specified the criteria that constituted an effective level of
prediction. Using its IDEA(TM) model, Trega predicted the human absorption of
all eight compounds within the specified criteria for success. The in silico
predictions with the IDEA(TM) model were achieved within days for each
compound, in contrast to the weeks and months which are traditionally needed
to test absorption of compounds in in vivo models.
"Trega is pleased with the outcome of this external validation study,"
said Michael G. Grey, president and chief executive officer. "Our product
development strategy has been to work closely with the research and
development teams of large pharmaceutical companies, so that the IDEA(TM)
models will fit their needs and procedures in every way. By working with
Roche on this validation study, we were able to address their specific
criteria as well as gain a true, blinded external validation of the predictive
capability of this model. We are looking forward to continued input from
Roche scientists in the coming months as they begin to apply the model to
their drug discovery programs."
Mr. Grey added, "One of the most challenging steps in drug discovery has
always been to determine from a myriad of potential drug candidates those
which would be best absorbed in the body, and thus which candidates should be
selected for clinical development. Currently, gaining the answer to that
question is a time-consuming and inefficient series of sequential steps
frequently conducted in animals. With the IDEA(TM) predictive model, we
believe that we can add speed and parallel processing, without losing accuracy
and thereby accelerate the lead optimization process."
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
develop additional models that will enable the complete prediction of
bioavailability. Trega plans to also extend its technology to predict
toxicity.
Trega Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRGA) 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 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 http://www.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 these transactions will be
successful, any additional licenses, alliances or other transactions will be
agreed to, formed or expanded, whether any such transactions will be
successful, the impact of competitive products and pricing, 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. Trega disclaims, however, any intent or obligation
to update these forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Trega Biosciences, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.trega.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/374050.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 374050
CONTACT:
Gerard A. Wills, Vice President, Finance &
CFO, 858-410-6695, or Cynthia Reindal, Corp. Communications &
Investor Relations, 858-410-6601, both of Trega Biosciences, Inc.
|
