Programme offers Tests Against Potential DILI Risk

Envigo has announced an integrated program of technologies that help predict the likelihood of compounds causing drug induced livery injury (DILI) – one of the major causes of drugs being withdrawn from the market. Since 1980, over 30 drugs have been withdrawn because of hepatotoxicity with many others having severe restrictions placed upon their use. A battery of in-vitro tests are available to determine if a compound carries a DILI liability, enabling informed decisions around its potential for progression. The de-risking approach serves to increase patient safety, provides confidence to invest and aids the in/out-licensing of new drugs”, commented Guy Webber, Scientific Manager of the In Vitro and Drug-Drug Interaction Sciences Group at Envigo.

Brian Burlinson, Principal Scientist for Safety Assessment at Envigo, commented: “Ultimately, the DILI Assessment package forms part of Envigo’s larger de-risking program for new drugs. This broader initiative, driven by the company’s Science and Technology Advisory Group (STAG), comprises DILI assessment, drug-to-drug interactions, genotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. As our de-risking studies can be carried out very early on, there is time for chemists to re-examine their molecules and assess potential changes that could be made to reduce the DILI liability while maintaining efficacy. Once the molecules are re-engineered, they can then be checked again against the Envigo assays.”