Centre for Human Drug Research’s Post

Improving physiological relevance in neurological disease drug development In this case study, hear from Elise LV Malavasi, Ph.D., a Principal Scientist at leading contract research organisation Concept Life Sciences. The interview highlights their need to develop assays that are amenable to long term use to support their clients with drug development, and how bit.bio’s deterministically programmed ioMicroglia have helped them develop assays with increased physiological relevance and consistency, towards this goal. In this case study you will learn: - How Concept Life Sciences seek to develop assays proving drug candidate efficacy with human iPSC-derived microglia. - How ioMicroglia from bit.bio offered Concept Life Sciences functional cells with low inter-lot variability, ensuring consistent assay performance, facilitating large scale screening studies. - How Concept Life Science’s initial challenges integrating this new cell type into their workflows were overcome by support from the bit.bio team, ensuring they could easily develop assays using these cells. Download Case Study https://lnkd.in/ePNFw9dX Brought to you by bit.bio  #DrugDevelopment #DrugDiscovery #LifeSciences

As part of our SUPRIDE project funded by the Academy Program for Development Research (DEVELOP2), Academy of Finland, in collaboration with the University of Helsinki, Dr. Phénix ASSOGBA, a Postdoctoral Researcher and member of the URMAPha Université d’Abomey-Calavi, has started his long stay postdoctoral position at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland, under the supervision of Professor Leena Hanski. Dr. Assogba’s research is critical in addressing the pressing issue of antibiotic resistance in sexually transmitted infections (STIs). With a focus on alternative treatments, his work aims to explore the potential of medicinal plants in combating Chlamydia trachomatis, a leading cause of STIs. His study will evaluate the in vitro and preliminary in vivo antichlamydial activity of selected plants and delve into pharmacokinetics and in vivo antichlamydial efficacy in mice models. This research not only advances the understanding of plant-based treatments for STIs but also contributes to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance. Join us in supporting Dr. Assogba on this impactful journey! #SUPRIDEProject #AntimicrobialResistance #STIResearch #MedicinalPlants #GlobalHealth #UniversityOfHelsinki #ResearchInnovation

Clin PGx 2024 I am attending this pharmacogenetics meeting at Penn. Nice to be at a meeting where everyone has heard of MH. The dedication of Penn to pharmacogenomics is impressive. Many talks and abstracts. Studies showing that routine genetic testing improves drug dosing, uncovers genetic disorders, and prevents adverse effects. The implied cost savings is impressive but no data based cost/benefit analysis at present. Lots of challenges in the education space. The presntations are excellent and show how pharmacogenomics and precision medicine has begun to and will continue to make medical care more efficient and effective. RYR1 disorders appear often in the studies. The work is not only by pharmacists. There are hints of a gulf between pharmacogeneticists and geneticists. Too bad. The physicians I speak with all complain of lack of time to pursue academics. Never was easy to have time for research but was always rewarding. The money does not make up for lack of time to improve care through studies. Also , the importance of collaboration outside one’s specialty is crucial for advancing knowledge. Definitely a worthwhile look at the value of pharmacogenomics.

This will be my last paper. I have spent quite a few years studying and working as a scientist, contributing to the development of new therapeutics that could improve people’s health. However, that stage has come to an end. Academia is a place where knowledge is created pursuing improvement for all humans; an environment created by scientists for scientists. Hence, it is our responsibility to keep it a safe and attractive place where young brilliant brains aspire to get to and stay. During my scientific career, I have seen a bunch of science enthusiasts leave Academia because of unhealthy environments. How can a field dedicated to improving human lives inadvertently harm the very individuals conducting this mission? Young scientists are not tools to be overworked and discarded once they break into pieces. They are the ones that will take over and keep pushing forward the boundaries of knowledge and curing people’s illnesses; they are the future. Doing a PhD, as well as a postdoctoral research, is an inherently challenging and tortuous process. Something that, probably, every single PhD candidate/graduate can confirm. Thus, I would like to encourage all my colleagues, researchers, technicians, etc. to foster a culture of humility, support, and respect in Academia. I would like this message to raise awareness. On the one hand, awareness to those in positions of responsibility to look after the new promises that make it to Academia. On the other hand, awareness to all those scientists who are having a hard time, for you to think that your health (both physical and mental) should go first. Being all these said, if you are interested in knowing about a novel, safe, and biodegradable liposomal formulation for cancer theragnostics, check out my latest work, the one that sets an end point to this stage. https://lnkd.in/eQHGazHX

Identifying an 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 to treat patients suffering from 𝘁𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 (TEN) has long been a top priority and unmet need in medicine. TEN and its minor form Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, are amongst the most severe side effects of common drugs with an incidence of 1–13 cases per million per year, resulting in rapid skin detachment reminiscent of a severe burn and death in up to 40% of cases. In our translational research paper published today in #Nature (https://lnkd.in/eedjY8df), we discovered using innovative 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 amongst others, that the 𝗝𝗔𝗞/𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆 is the main 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲. After validating these findings in 2 pre-clinical mouse models of TEN, we could also show in a small series of patients that early intervention with JAK inhibitors was safe and rapidly effective, thus opening the path for further clinical validation and development. These findings not only open new avenues for treating TEN but also highlight the potential of spatial proteomics in driving medical breakthroughs. I am grateful for the outstanding collaboration with #ThierryNordmann and #MatthiasMann as well as an international team of collaborators including #HollyAnderton, #AkitoHasegawa, #PengZhang, #PiaCharlotteStadler, #TakashiSatoh, #TingGong, #SaskiaIngenHouszOro, #RiichiroAbe, #JohnSilke, and #ChaoJi. My thanks go also to our leading academic Institutions #LudwigMaximilianUniversityHospital and #MaxPlanckInstituteBiochemistry.

In a groundbreaking study published in the *Journal of Chromatography B*, researchers explored the potential of direct thrombin inhibitors derived from the latex of *Euphorbia resinifera* O.Berg in the context of fibrin clot formation. This research is particularly significant as it investigates a natural source for developing alternative anticoagulants, which are crucial in managing thrombotic disorders. The study highlights how certain compounds isolated from *Euphorbia resinifera* latex exhibit inhibitory effects on thrombin, an enzyme central to the blood clotting process. The implications of these findings could be profound, as they may pave the way for new treatments that offer safer and more effective management of conditions related to abnormal blood clotting. For those unfamiliar, thrombin plays a vital role in converting fibrinogen to fibrin, leading to clot formation. By targeting thrombin with these natural inhibitors, there is a possibility of not only preventing excessive clotting but also minimising side effects often associated with synthetic anticoagulants. As the world seeks more sustainable and natural solutions in medicine, this research illustrates the promise of utilising plant-derived compounds in the development of therapeutic agents. Such advances could influence daily medical practices, particularly in enhancing patient safety and treatment efficacy in managing clotting disorders. This research offers a glimpse into the remarkable potential of #chemistry in developing innovative approaches to healthcare challenges. I invite you to delve deeper into this fascinating study [here](https://lnkd.in/diu2J8Vz,. #thrombin #Euphorbiaresinifera #anticoagulants #naturalproducts #biochemistry #healthcare #medicalresearch #chemistry, If you want to know more about #analyticalchemistry news, follow me: https://lnkd.in/d29pbjb9

We are excited to start work on the 3-year ‘Grant and Partnership Scheme project’ awarded by Certara, UK 🏆. Lead by Zubida Al-Majdoub at the Centre for Applied Pharmacokinetic Research (CAPKR), this project will set the stage for a major leap forward in the understanding of renal drug transport, drug-drug interactions, and clearance. 🎯By leveraging cutting edge techniques in quantitative proteomics and immunohistochemistry, PhD researcher, Cain M. will characterise protein abundance of clinically relevant #drugtransporters within specific regions of the proximal tubule in the kidney. 🎯Implement the experimental data into the #SimCyp mechanistic kidney model to refine the PBPK model, enhancing prediction of intracellular drug concentrations and clearance in the kidney, thereby marking a pivotal step in our understanding of effective drug metabolism. #RenalResearch #Pharmacokinetics #DDI #renalclearance #kidneys #IVIVE #PBPK #massspectrometry #universityofmanchester

We are delighted to welcome Dr Walker Hagan as a scientific advisor to our team! Dr Hagan earned a BS in bioengineering from Clemson University and a PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Florida. His research focuses primarily on 𝗚𝗔𝗕𝗔 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁, biosensors, and organ-on-a-chip devices. Notably, his work on GABA signalling has uncovered critical mechanisms of secretion and effects on beta-cell function and insulin secretion. Dr Hagan's groundbreaking research, published in Nature Metabolism (https://lnkd.in/dgDJ_vJx), revealed that 𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝟭 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝟮 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗚𝗔𝗕𝗔 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝘆𝘀𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. By modulating GABA biosynthesis pathways, he demonstrated the potential to reverse this effect, offering significant insights into diabetes treatment. Following his PhD, Dr Hagan led projects at Hesperos Inc., where he developed human-based in vitro models for rare diseases. His contributions have generated efficacy data for multiple regulatory submissions and the development of novel drug development tools. Please join us in welcoming Dr Hagan to our team as we continue to push the boundaries on our mission to facilitate remission in T1D patients worldwide. If you would like to know more about LeviCure's progress in advancing treatment to facilitate T1D Remission, watch our Webinar: "https://lnkd.in/dHB-zVZx" #Welcome #ScientificAdvisor #BiomedicalResearch #GABASignaling #DiabetesResearch # #Innovation #TeamExpansion #T1D #Type1Diabetes  

🌟 Cilcare at the International Cyclodextrin Symposium (ICS) ! 🌟 Last week at the ICS, our expert Susanna Malmström delivered a compelling presentation on "Cyclodextrin-induced ototoxicity: unveiling risks in drug development." This important research sheds light on the potential ototoxic effects of cyclodextrins, compounds commonly used in drug formulations and more and more as active principles, and the implications for patient safety. 🔍 Key Insights: ·      Cyclodextrins, while valuable in improving drug solubility and stability, may pose risks to hearing. ·      Our findings highlight the urgent need for thorough ototoxicity testing in drug development to prevent adverse auditory effects. Dive deeper into strategies to mitigate risks of ototoxicity by reading our latest review on ototoxicity in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. 📚 Link to the review: https://lnkd.in/ew4Yw8_P 🙌 We appreciate the engagement and discussion from everyone at the symposium. Let's work together to find new, innovative treatments for patients while enhancing drug safety and protect hearing health! #ICS2024 #Ototoxicity #Cyclodextrin #DrugSafety #HearingResearch #FrontiersInMolecularNeuroscience

In 1785, William Withering published a groundbreaking work that would forever change the course of medical treatment for heart conditions. His publication detailed the use of digitalis, a compound derived from the foxglove plant, to treat dropsy, a condition now known as edema, which often accompanies heart failure. Withering's meticulous documentation and empirical approach marked a significant advancement in the field of cardiology and pharmacology. The active ingredient in digitalis was later identified as digoxin, which works by increasing the efficiency and force of the heart's contractions. Withering's discovery not only provided a new therapeutic tool but also laid the groundwork for the modern practice of using chemical compounds to treat heart diseases. His work exemplifies the importance of observation, experimentation, and the willingness to explore the potential of natural remedies in medical science. #WilliamWithering #DigitalisDiscovery #HeartTreatmentRevolution #FoxgloveFindings #CardiologyPioneer #PharmacologyAdvancement #NaturalRemedies #MilestonesInHistory #MedicalHistory