PsychoGenics Inc. Expands Its Drug Discovery Service Capabilities

Capabilities include state-of-the-art bioanalysis, in vivo microdialysis, EEG and quantitative histology

TARRYTOWN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PsychoGenics Inc. (PsychoGenics) announced today that it has acquired equipment and hired experienced scientists from Lundbeck Research USA and is now in a position to offer expanded services in the areas of bioanalysis, in vivo microdialysis, EEG and quantitative histology. In August 2015, Lundbeck announced that it will close its research operation in Paramus NJ. Following this announcement PsychoGenics and Lundbeck began discussions to preserve jobs, which has now been accomplished.

Commenting on the expansion, Emer Leahy, PhD, President and CEO of PsychoGenics stated: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to hire talented scientists from Lundbeck. In total 10 scientists, each with more than ten years of experience in their respective fields, will be dedicated to microdialysis, bioanalysis, EEG and quantitative histology. These expanded areas of research complement PsychoGenics already well established capabilities and when applied to our animal models will further enhance our understanding of CNS disease.”

About the expanded capabilities

Microdialysis is a sampling technique that is used for continuous measurement of free, unbound analyte concentrations in the extracellular fluid, initially developed for central nervous system research, but can be applied in virtually any tissue. PsychoGenics now offers standard and quantitative microdialysis methods, as well as sampling of large molecules, also known as “push-pull” microdialysis. The bioanalysis capabilities include HPLC, LC/MS/MS and ELISA, allowing quantitative measurements of small and large molecules, peptides, interleukins, lipids and other molecules of interest. Analytes include endogenous molecules (neurotransmitters, hormones, glucose, ATP, amino acids and metabolites) in order to assess their functions in the body, or exogenous compounds (e.g. new chemical entities) to determine their distribution and effect. PsychoGenics will combine microdialysis with behavioral assays, simultaneous blood and/or CSF sampling to provide information on PK/PD relationships and translational biomarkers.

Electroencephalography (EEG) has been useful at many stages of Drug Discovery for its ability to detect potential adverse CNS effects (safety pharmacology, i.e. seizure liability), assess CNS penetration and target engagement and can offer a clear pharmacodynamic metric of drug action or tolerance and thus can enable lead optimization or drug candidate selection. Further, EEG can be used to identify an effective dose range that manipulates cortical measurements that are similarly used in clinical settings. PsychoGenics employs a range of custom configurations to record cortical EEG (ECoG) or local field potential recordings from subcortical structures from tethered and telemetric (wireless) EEG platforms. Services include polysomnographic (sleep-wake) EEG, anti-epileptic drug screening in seizure models, and auditory evoked potentials from unanesthetized rats or mice. Electromyography (EMG) measurements from freely-moving animals are also available. PsychoGenics will combine EEG with behavioral and/or microdialysis assays to provide information on PK/PD relationship and translational biomarkers.

Detailed knowledge of neuropathology/morphology is important for studying disease dependent changes in the brain. Quantitative histology significantly contributes to understanding disease progression, the pathways and mechanisms involved and the effectiveness of treatments. The histology team at PsychoGenics offers all steps in tissue processing including embedding, cutting and staining with sampling procedures and sophisticated statistical approaches employed to minimize bias and ensure the reproducibility of results to guarantee that data generated is of the highest quality. Imaging services range from standard stainings using brightfield, to state-of-the-art multi-fluorescent immunohistochemistry techniques using high throughput LED epifluorescence, confocal and multiphoton microscopy. PsychoGenics customized image analyses routines reveal quantitative information on structural changes associated with disease models and the effects of new treatments which can be correlated with changes in behavior, electrophysiology, biochemistry and neurochemistry.

About PsychoGenics

PsychoGenics is a leading provider of preclinical CNS services. The Company’s capabilities include behavioral testing, electrophysiology, translational EEG, quantitative histology, molecular biology and microdialysis. Complementing its extensive capabilities, the company has a variety of mouse models including in-licensed transgenic models that support research in areas such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Autism spectrum disorders, psychosis/schizophrenia, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), muscular dystrophy and other muscle disorders. PsychoGenics has also pioneered the translation of rodent behavioral responses into robust, high throughput, high content phenotyping and its drug discovery platforms, SmartCube^®, NeuroCube^®, and PhenoCube^® have led to shared risk partnerships with major pharma companies such as Sunovion and Roche and has resulted in the discovery of several novel compounds now in clinical trials or advanced preclinical development.