Cytomyx Ltd, a division of Cytomyx Holdings, PLC, a leading provider of drug discovery products and services, has signed a worldwide co-exclusive license agreement with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (PA, USA) which allows Cytomyx to create and market cell lines expressing the ion channel, Kv4.3, and the four KChIP accessory subunits as research reagents for use in drug discovery and safety pharmacology screening. Wyeth holds the patents and patent applications relating to the ion channels Kv4.3, and the four KChIP accessory sub-units.

The validated cell lines can also be accessed via Cytomyx’ unique IonScreen, Ion Channel Screening Service. The service combines Cytomyx’ unparalleled range of validated ion channel cell lines with its expertise in automated electrophysiology to deliver timely, high quality data.

This agreement expands further the unique ion channel cell line and screening service portfolio offered by Cytomyx to pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients worldwide. Currently, the company has 18 validated ion channel cell lines available and 50 more are in development. Cytomyx continues to be the industry leader for ion channel related products and services and has seven out of the top ten pharmaceutical companies as clients to date.

Kv4.3 and the four KChiP accessory sub-units are important targets for drug discovery and safety pharmacology because they combine in different ways in different tissues to make a significant contribution to regulating the electrical activity of the brain and the heart.

In consideration of the license Wyeth Pharmaceuticals will access know-how and validated cell lines from Cytomyx, enabling them to progress internal drug screening and safety pharmacology programs.