CIT, a preclinical contract research organisation based in France and specialising in drug safety testing, has formed a transatlantic alliance with Biomodels, a US company offering tailor-made preclinical efficacy models.
The two companies will develop packages of integrated services covering early development of candidate drugs and their passage into clinical trials. The resulting synergies will enable CIT and Biomodels to provide clients with a comprehensive and seamless programme of preclinical drug development as well as new high-content testing approaches, they say. No financial details were disclosed.
Dr Roy Forster, chief scientific officer of CIT, cited in particular Biomodels’ ability to generate customised preclinical efficacy models, commenting: “This opens the way to unique approaches that permit rigorous profiling of the clinical potential of candidate drugs. Working hand in hand with Biomodels, we will further enrich our understanding of the efficacy and best therapeutic deployment of new drugs and bring these benefits to our clients”.
According to Professor Stephen Sonis, chief medical officer at Biomodels, CIT’s offering “goes well beyond just regulatory toxicology”. The company has been developing services in biomarkers, multiplex analyses, toxicogenomics and integrated safety pharmacology measurements.
CIT’s US affiliate, CITox Inc, was responsible for setting up the alliance, “a clear affirmation of CIT’s presence in the US and of our proximity to US clients”, commented the French company’s chief executive officer, Sophie Baratte.
“Through this alliance, CIT and Biomodels are offering early testing capabilities in the US that we will transfer smoothly into preclinical development services in our French facility,” she added.
Founded in 1997, Biomodels develops and conducts predictive translational studies for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, particularly in the areas of cancer, cancer supportive care, radiation therapy and inflammatory diseases.
CIT was formed in 1969 and offers a full range of research services in general toxicology, reproductive toxicology, carcinogenicity, pharmacokinetics and safety pharmacology. It also conducts research into genetic toxicology, in vitro testing and toxicogenomics.
