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Immortalized Pig Hepatocytes: A Drug Discovery Model

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 1R43CA096458-01
Agency Tracking Number: CA096458
Amount: $139,314.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2003
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
MULTICELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 55 ACCESS RD, STE 700
WARWICK, RI 02886
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 RONALD FARIS
 (401) 738-7560
 FARIS@MULTICLTECHNOLOGIES.COM
Business Contact
Phone: (401) 738-7560
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Drug-drug interactions can occur in a
multiple drug regimen, where one drug interferes with the metabolism of
another, leading to dangerous, unpredicted, and potentially fatal
concentrations of medication. Unfortunately, a significant number of such drug
interactions are first recognized during clinical trials. This nonrecognition
of drug metabolic interactions is due in part to interspecies differences
between rodents and man. A recent FDA report estimated that up to 20 percent of
toxicity and potential drug interactions are misidentified in rat assays
because of interspecies differences. Most drugs are metabolized by the hepatic
cytochrome P450 enzymes, and a non-primate species most reflective of human CYP
regulation is the pig. MultiCell Associates recently developed an immortalized
porcine hepatocyte cell line designated HepLiu. The purpose of this Phase I
project is to determine if HepLiu and its MSX resistant progeny, HL-MSX, can be
employed as a screening bioassay to reproducibly detect inducers and inhibitors
of human CYPs. This will be accomplished by assaying 24 compounds, whose
effects on CYP3A4 and 1A activity have been well documented in humans. A
positive correlation will provide the scientific basis for the long term goal
of this project: to develop a predictive and economical assay based on the
HepLiu porcine hepatocyte cell line, for screening the CYP induction and
inhibition potential of new chemical entities in drug discovery.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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