ROYSTON, England, May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Asterand plc , announced today that it has entered into an extended collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company ("BMS") for access to Asterand's products and services for up to three years. The agreement will focus on access to Asterand's PhaseZERO(R) drug discovery services and Asterand's XpressBANK(TM) of human tissue and clinical samples for the continued validation of early drug targets and support for compound optimization. Financial terms were not disclosed.
"This decision by Bristol-Myers Squibb is an important validation of Asterand's products and services," says Asterand CEO Martyn Coombs. "Our goal is to assist Bristol-Myers Squibb and other pharmaceutical companies in making the drug development process more effective and we want to help them reach the clinic with less cost and more confidence. We are particularly proud that Bristol-Myers Squibb has renewed its relationship with Asterand because of the importance they place on collaborating with highly qualified research partners".
Coombs adds, "Access to Asterand's human tissue-based approach through PhaseZERO(R) Services and XpressBANK(TM) Samples can help assist in the early identification of possible adverse events in humans, and thus may help reduce the high attrition rates and costs associated with drug discovery and development."
Under the extended collaboration, Asterand will continue to undertake a range of PhaseZERO(R) studies for Bristol-Myers Squibb in the areas of compound profiling and target validation. PhaseZERO(R) studies include gene and protein expression profiling and cell-based pharmacology assays. Likewise, Bristol-Myers Squibb will be granted access to Asterand's XpressBANK(TM) of human tissue, bio-fluid, and cell lines and may also utilize Asterand's ProCURE(TM) custom clinical sample collection service.
Notes to Editors:
Asterand's Target Validation Capabilities
The sequencing of the human genome has identified a vast number of potentially interesting targets. The challenge now is to evaluate these targets and select those that are relevant to human disease. Asterand's target validation capabilities provide information on gene and protein expression in diseased and normal human tissues to select and stratify targets of interest, and to identify those representing the greatest opportunity for further development.
Asterand's Compound Profiling Capabilities
Asterand applies a broad suite of technologies to its comprehensive human tissue resource, thus enabling the more rigorous profiling of drug candidates during lead optimisation. Asterand therefore provides more confidence in the development of candidates prior to committing to human clinical trials. Asterand's approach can be applied before, during, or after the clinical development process to address specific questions concerning a product's safety, efficacy and commercial viability.
Asterand plc
Founded in 1996, Asterand supports human drug discovery and translational medicine through the provision of high quality, well characterised human biomaterials and preclinical research services. Asterand focuses solely on the use of fully consented human tissue for which it has established, and maintains, one of the most effective tissue and bio-fluid supply networks in the world. Through the provision of products and services that add value throughout the drug discovery process, Asterand has built a solid reputation and a growing customer base, including many of the major pharmaceutical companies.
Asterand UK LtdCONTACT: For further information, please contact: Asterand plc, MartynCoombs, Chief Executive Officer, Tel: +44-(0)1763-211600
