Target validation involves proving that DNA, RNA or a protein molecule is directly involved in a disease process and can be a suitable target for development of a new therapeutic drug.Pharmaceutical industry experts and analysts agree that drug target validation is the most critical challenge facing large pharmaceutical companies.¹
“Given the vast number of potential drug targets that genomics has delivered, it has become crucial to pinpoint those targets that are most likely to be amenable to therapeutic intervention.Thus, target-validation technologies are in strong demand.”²
The new paradigm of drug discovery calls for a significant increase in the number of new candidates in the pipeline in conjunction with a considerable reduction in the unit cost of discovery.Large pharmaceutical companies' R & D budgets cannot increase ten-fold in order to sustain a commensurate increase in the pipeline.The solution is to reduce dramatically the unit cost of discovery by reducing failure rates.
Cytogenix patented intracellular ssDNA expression system has been shown to be highly effective in down regulating target gene expression. This technology has been used by investigators in in vitro and in vivo experiments 1, 2. When transfected into cells, catalytic DNA generated by a CytoGenix proprietary vector inhibits target gene expression.
CytoGenix adheres to GLP quality standards and will provide complete experiment documentation including quantitative mRNA and protein expression data.
CytoGenix scientists will consult with the client's scientists to establish optimum conditions. The goal is to achieve a six (6) week turnaround for genes expressed in commonly used cell lines.
Target Validation services are provided under a Service contract that includes mutual confidentiality clauses. CytoGenix proprietary technology will be used to provide gene target information only. Any other use by CytoGenix or the client is subject to other arrangements.
CytoGenix guarantees client satisfaction and will repeat any experiment at no additional cost to the client.
(1) Target Identification and Validation, CHI Genomics Report Series. June 2001. 5-7.
(2) Target Identification and Validation, CHI Genomics Report Series. June 2001. 4.
