Viva Biotech Enhances Drug Discovery with Comprehensive DMPK Platform
Viva Biotech has made remarkable strides in drug discovery, focusing on the critical aspects of Drug Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (PKPD). With the evolution of therapeutic modalities, the company has established an all-encompassing pharmacology platform that streamlines the entire process, from in vitro ADME assays to in vivo PK and efficacy studies. This integrated approach is essential as it helps researchers navigate the diverse landscape of drug development.
Webinar Highlights: Insights from Industry Leaders
Recently, Dr. Justin Cui, Vice President of Pharmacology at Viva Biotech, presented during the company’s webinar series, titled "Adventures in DMPK: From Small Molecules and PROTACs to Peptides and Antibodies." This engaging session outlined the capabilities and advancements of the integrated pharmacology platform. Dr. Cui stated that the principles governing small molecules, PROTACs, and peptides share a similar ADME/PK logic, which is critical for successful drug development.
Understanding ADME/PK Logic
The ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion) and PK (Pharmacokinetics) framework plays a crucial role in drug development. It involves physicochemical profiling, metabolic stability assessments, permeability analysis, and drug-drug interaction risk evaluations. Dr. Cui emphasized that the decision-making framework applied to the large volumes of compounds is what truly differentiates Viva Biotech from its competitors.
Advanced Support for Peptide Programs
For its peptide programs, Viva Biotech delivers innovative cross-species PK design methodologies, ensuring a robust evaluation of multiple routes of administration. The company employs comprehensive metabolite profiling, analyzing various biological samples such as plasma, urine, bile, feces, and tissues. A consistent analytical framework using WinNonlin allows for effective comparison of peptide PK behaviors alongside small-molecule programs.
Understanding Antibody Pharmacokinetics
Viva Biotech recognizes the unique characteristics required for antibody development. By applying modality-specific strategies, the company focuses on FcRn biology, which significantly influences a drug's pharmacokinetic profile. A notable development discussed in the webinar is the engineered hFcRn/B2M–MDCK Transwell system aimed at assessing antibody transcytosis. This innovative system provides valuable insights into FcRn-mediated transport and supports time- and dose-dependent evaluation of transcytosis.
Integrating Mechanistic Bioassays for Enhanced Decision-Making
One of the pivotal takeaways from the webinar was the effectiveness of integrating DMPK decisions with mechanistic bioassays. Viva Biotech has developed a robust immunology in vitro portfolio covering various assays for immune-cell activation, differentiation, and signaling. This includes advanced techniques such as multi-color flow cytometry and multiplex cytokine readouts.
In Vivo Capabilities and Oncological Insights
Viva Biotech also provided an overview of its tumor efficacy evaluation capabilities within their in vivo experiments. By employing both syngeneic and CDX models, the company supports ex vivo analyses that assess tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), pharmacodynamic biomarkers, and overall pathology. This holistic approach enables the evaluation of exposure, target engagement, and functional outcomes within clinically relevant contexts.
A Decade of Expertise in Drug Discovery
With over a decade of experience in early drug discovery, Viva Biotech boasts extensive capabilities in DMPK, pharmacology, and efficacy evaluation. The company has recently enhanced its services through facility expansions and comprehensive integration of antibody pharmacokinetics with disease-focused studies spanning oncology, autoimmune disorders, metabolic issues, and more. Dr. Cui best articulated the comprehensive DMPK platform that Viva Biotech has established, incorporating various drug modalities into a cohesive service model that seamlessly connects structure-based discovery with critical elements such as ADME, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, and toxicology.
This innovative one-stop pharmacology platform empowers researchers to make informed, data-driven decisions throughout the preclinical development stage, ultimately leading to more successful drug development pathways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of Viva Biotech's pharmacology platform?
Viva Biotech's platform focuses on Drug Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, offering comprehensive support from in vitro ADME assays to in vivo PK studies.
Who presented at the recent Viva Biotech webinar?
Dr. Justin Cui, the Vice President of Pharmacology at Viva Biotech, presented key insights during the webinar session on DMPK.
How does Viva Biotech support peptide programs?
The company provides cross-species PK design, comprehensive metabolite profiling, and a consistent analytical framework to assess the pharmacokinetics of peptide programs.
What advancements have been made for antibody programs?
The development of the hFcRn/B2M–MDCK Transwell system aids in understanding antibody transcytosis and supports the evaluation of Fc-engineered variants.
What is the significance of integrating bioassays with DMPK decisions?
Integrating mechanistic bioassays with DMPK decisions allows for actionable insights, enhancing the understanding of immune cell interactions and treatment outcomes.
