TORONTO, August 9, 2010: NoAb BioDiscoveries (Mississauga, Canada) and VigiCell (Villejuif, France) announced today the two companies have signed an agreement in principle to collaborate and co-distribute each other’s complementary drug discovery services, geared toward central nervous system (CNS) targeted discovery research.
NoAb BioDiscoveries will be the preferred distributor of VigiCell’s in vitro Primary Rat Blood-Brain-Barrier (BBB) Model to predict drug candidate entrance to the brain. In return, VigiCell will represent NoAb’s extensive expertise in the field of DMPK and in particular, its suite of in vivo BBB penetration services, including serial CSF collection, and microdialysis.
Dan Lichtman, President and CEO of NoAb, said “This partnership and co-marketing agreement not only increases our reach and global presence, but also strengthens our service offering in BBB discovery research. Our clients will benefit from both NoAb and VigiCell’s combined expertise and leadership in the area of BBB compound disposition.”
Among the benefits of the partnership is access to several unique models to assess the BBB penetration of compounds. VigiCell has developed an in vitro RBEC (rat brain endothelial cell) model, which closely approximates the in vivo BBB condition, and provides an early in vitro screening tool to assess the BBB disposition of compounds. For full pharmacokinetic characterization, NoAb offers both its Serial CSF and Plasma collection model, as well as its Quantitative Microdialysis service.
Jean-Emmanuel Gilbert, President of VigiCell, said “This co-marketing agreement expands VigiCell’s presence into North America with the first-rate support and reputation of NoAb’s drug discovery services, and provides an excellent opportunity for investigators to benefit from an unmatched level of expertise in BBB discovery research.”
In addition, NoAb and VigiCell will collaborate in the research and development of other models that are relevant to the discovery of novel therapeutics targeting the CNS.
NoAb BioDiscoveries offers a wide range ADME-PK Discovery services, specializing in advanced in vivo models, in vitro assays and bioanalytical support. VigiCell has been developing a unique, innovative, toxicology-dedicated platform and related know-how, aimed at offering the broadest possible range of testing scenarios. Recently it began to offer in vitro assays which can predict BBB penetration. IN CEREBRO is the brand name under which VigiCell provides its brain-related services.
For further information, please contact: Sal Lemus, Business Development Manager, NoAb BioDiscoveries: slemus@noabbiodiscoveries.com Web site: www.noabbiodiscoveries.com
Bruno Bournique, Business Development Manager, IN CEREBRO by VigiCell: bruno.bournique@incerebro.com Web site: www.incerebro.com
