- 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 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 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.
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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, Chief Financial Officer,
858-410-6695, or Cynthia Reindal, Associate, Corporate
Communications, & Investor Relations, 858-410-6601, both of Trega
Biosciences, Inc.
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