New Peer-Reviewed Data Published in Toxicology in Vitro Shows Efficiency and Accuracy of Gene Expression Assay Technology
BIOWIRE
HTG Inc., a provider of novel array-based gene expression assay technology and services for the life sciences industry, today announced results from a study measuring gene expression on marker genes have been published in the August 2006 issue of Toxicology in Vitro. The study examined the feasibility of obtaining higher throughput results using the quantitative Nuclease Protection Assay (qNPA(TM)) method versus the standard PCR-based testing approach in testing 12 specific gene markers of drug-induced phospholipidosis on HepG2 cells. The published data show that the in vitro screening assay for compound-induced phospholipidosis should be transferable from a PCR-based assay to HTG’s qNPA, a higher throughput method. Hiroshi Sawada, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited in Osaka, Japan is the lead author of the article.
The article entitled, “Improved Toxicogenomic Screening for Drug-Induced Phospholipidosis Using a Multiplexed Quantitative Gene Expression ArrayPlate assay,” reports outcomes from a follow-on study to a toxicogenomics analysis evaluated in previous research that enables researchers to identify sets of gene markers for various toxic conditions. These new findings published in Toxicology in Vitro, the official journal of the European Society of Toxicology in Vitro, confirm the qNPA approach is beneficial in setting up toxicogenomics-based assay systems to further evaluate these gene markers. The qNPA was tested on the following measures: sensitivity, repeatability and correlation. Results demonstrated the expression of mRNA for all target genes was detected at quantifiable levels, the signal intensities and fold change values of each marker gene were highly repeatable and there was a high correlation between results gained from the qNPA and real-time PCR assays.
“We are thrilled Takeda recognizes the qNPA technology as a useful, investigative tool in evaluating toxicogenomics analysis. HTG is enabling high-throughput screening for mainstream drug discovery and is a cost effective alternative to PCR,” said Bill Radany, president and CEO, HTG.
HTG’s qNPA(TM) technology is used to carry out quantitative multiplexed, gene-based drug discovery programs, including target validation, HTS lead optimization, metabolism, toxicology and clinical development. HTG’s lysis-only quantitative Nuclease Protection Assay (qNPA(TM)) platform allows scientists to test any sample while avoiding the need for extraction or target amplification. The platform provides robust, high-quality quantitative test results, including QSAR-quality dose response data and EC(50)’s, enabling clients to compress drug discovery and development program timelines, increase program success and reduce costs.
About HTG
HTG provides qNPA technology and services for the life sciences industry, addressing current unmet needs and enabling a new era of drug discovery and diagnostics. The company’s technology platform enables the accurate, sensitive, reproducible and repeatable measurement of molecular signatures through the multiplexed measurement of RNA expression levels, DNA and protein levels and function. qNPA data measure how drugs act and diseases are mediated at the level of whole cells, tissues, or organisms. This enables researchers to focus their resources by rapidly obtaining higher quality results than possible with other methods, in days rather than months, saving time and cost while addressing critical unmet needs. Privately-held HTG is based in Tucson, Arizona. Investors in the company include Solstice Capital, Valley Ventures, and Village Ventures. Additional information is available at www.htgenomics.com.
HTG Inc., a provider of novel array-based gene expression assay technology and services for the life sciences industry, today announced results from a study measuring gene expression on marker genes have been published in the August 2006 issue of Toxicology in Vitro. The study examined the feasibility of obtaining higher throughput results using the quantitative Nuclease Protection Assay (qNPA(TM)) method versus the standard PCR-based testing approach in testing 12 specific gene markers of drug-induced phospholipidosis on HepG2 cells. The published data show that the in vitro screening assay for compound-induced phospholipidosis should be transferable from a PCR-based assay to HTG’s qNPA, a higher throughput method. Hiroshi Sawada, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited in Osaka, Japan is the lead author of the article.
The article entitled, “Improved Toxicogenomic Screening for Drug-Induced Phospholipidosis Using a Multiplexed Quantitative Gene Expression ArrayPlate assay,” reports outcomes from a follow-on study to a toxicogenomics analysis evaluated in previous research that enables researchers to identify sets of gene markers for various toxic conditions. These new findings published in Toxicology in Vitro, the official journal of the European Society of Toxicology in Vitro, confirm the qNPA approach is beneficial in setting up toxicogenomics-based assay systems to further evaluate these gene markers. The qNPA was tested on the following measures: sensitivity, repeatability and correlation. Results demonstrated the expression of mRNA for all target genes was detected at quantifiable levels, the signal intensities and fold change values of each marker gene were highly repeatable and there was a high correlation between results gained from the qNPA and real-time PCR assays.
“We are thrilled Takeda recognizes the qNPA technology as a useful, investigative tool in evaluating toxicogenomics analysis. HTG is enabling high-throughput screening for mainstream drug discovery and is a cost effective alternative to PCR,” said Bill Radany, president and CEO, HTG.
HTG’s qNPA(TM) technology is used to carry out quantitative multiplexed, gene-based drug discovery programs, including target validation, HTS lead optimization, metabolism, toxicology and clinical development. HTG’s lysis-only quantitative Nuclease Protection Assay (qNPA(TM)) platform allows scientists to test any sample while avoiding the need for extraction or target amplification. The platform provides robust, high-quality quantitative test results, including QSAR-quality dose response data and EC(50)’s, enabling clients to compress drug discovery and development program timelines, increase program success and reduce costs.
About HTG
HTG provides qNPA technology and services for the life sciences industry, addressing current unmet needs and enabling a new era of drug discovery and diagnostics. The company’s technology platform enables the accurate, sensitive, reproducible and repeatable measurement of molecular signatures through the multiplexed measurement of RNA expression levels, DNA and protein levels and function. qNPA data measure how drugs act and diseases are mediated at the level of whole cells, tissues, or organisms. This enables researchers to focus their resources by rapidly obtaining higher quality results than possible with other methods, in days rather than months, saving time and cost while addressing critical unmet needs. Privately-held HTG is based in Tucson, Arizona. Investors in the company include Solstice Capital, Valley Ventures, and Village Ventures. Additional information is available at www.htgenomics.com.
