Millipore Corporation and its UK-based partner, CXR Biosciences, have developed a novel panel of human and rodent cytochrome P450 (CYP450) antibodies, for use in drug discovery programmes.

CXR Biosciences developed the antibodies exclusively for Millipore as a part of a portfolio of innovative discovery toxicology products. CXR will also use these new reagents in its own research services business.

CYP450 plays an essential role in drug metabolism in the liver. Understanding drug metabolism is critical in designing more sensitive, and ultimately more predictive, assays for estimating possible liver toxicity. These new antibodies bind to most human isoforms of CYP450, as well as rat and mouse isoforms. The CYP450 antibodies will be used to develop novel assays for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, agricultural and industrial sectors in order to bring new products to market. This joint offering from Millipore and CXR Biosciences represents the most comprehensive panel of CYP450 antibodies available for the drug discovery process.

"Our collaboration with CXR to develop and market these antibodies represent a valuable new addition to Millipore's portfolio of in vitro toxicology and drug discovery products," said Dr Stella Redpath, group product manager, Millipore.

According to Dr Tom Shepherd, chief executive officer, CXR Biosciences Ltd improved assays for toxicity assessment can be used alongside more traditional drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) and ADMET assays. The chances of obtaining unexpected adverse toxic effects are much reduced.

Millipore has evolved from a high performance filtration products and services company into a leading provider of tools and services and a key partner of choice for Life Science customers. "We've transformed ourselves through R&D investment, organic growth, and acquisitions such as Chemicon, Upstate, Linco, Celliance, Newport Bio Systems, NovAseptic AB and MicroSafe. The integrated Millipore offers more innovative technologies and stronger application support to streamline processes and provide consistently reliable results. The products and services of our Drug Discovery business unit allow us to work closely with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to help discover, evaluate, and develop potential drug candidates," Dr Sheperd said.