Biochemical Markers of Early-Stage Kidney Toxicity Discovered

[okarol]

Biochemical Markers of Early-Stage Kidney Toxicity Discovered

Published Research Describes Use of Global Biochemical Profiling to Identify Markers

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Metabolon, Inc., the leader in metabolomics-driven biomarker discovery and analysis, today announced the publication of a research paper co-authored by Metabolon and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. which demonstrates the use of global biochemical profiling to better understand drug-induced nephrotoxicity.

The research described in the publication helped researchers to identify a panel of biomarkers that provide a non-invasive method to detect kidney injury long before the onset of histopathological kidney damage. Metabolon’s research team was able to extract, identify, and quantify biochemicals in a non-targeted and global analytical approach. The results of these studies appear in the April issue of Toxicologic Pathology (Volume 37, Number 3, pp 280-292) in a paper titled “Discovery of Metabolomics Biomarkers for Early Detection of Nephrotoxicity”.

Drug-induced nephrotoxicity is a major concern in pre-clinical trials and the development of many new drug candidates is halted due to unforeseen toxicity profiles and side effects. There are a number of efforts currently underway to identify reliable and early markers for renal function and injury. The current standard measurements of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine are late-stage markers, when kidney damage has already occurred. The availability of the early biomarkers discovered by Metabolon and Teva will provide significant savings in the costs associated with late-stage drug failures.

“Because the kidney is one of the primary sites of drug toxicity and many new drug candidates cause unforeseen and costly toxicological side effects in later stage clinical studies, we have sought ways to identify toxicity faster,” explained Kurt Boudonck, lead author on the publication and project director with Metabolon. “In this study, we have shown that metabolomics is of great utility in identifying very early biomarkers of drug-induced kidney malfunction.”

About Metabolon

Metabolon is a diagnostics and services company offering the industry’s leading biochemical profiling platform. Metabolon’s patented platform provides a global analysis of complex biological samples for the discovery of markers and pathways associated with drug action and disease. This metabolomics-driven approach enables the identification of biomarkers useful for the development of a wide range of diagnostics and provides insight into complex biochemical processes such as drug action, toxicology and bioprocess optimization. For more information about Metabolon, please visit www.metabolon.com.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090421005189&newsLang=en