Rheologics Announces In-vitro Drug Development and Discovery Capabilities

17-Jul-2002

XTON, Pa. July 15, 2002 - Rheologics Inc., the medical industry's first tool for measuring the biophysical properties of blood gives pharmaceutical firms a method for reducing the drug development cycle and extending patents through novel product life cycle management

Rheologics, Inc., a pioneer in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke, today announced the addition of in-vitro drug development and discovery capabilities using its device, the Rheolog(TM). This technology provides pharmaceutical firms with a new scientific approach for discovering and evaluating drugs.

Traditionally, drug development efforts focused on the biochemical and immunological impact of drugs. With Rheologics' in-vitro technology, researchers can evaluate the effect drugs have on the biophysical properties of human blood including lubricity, viscosity, red blood cell deformability, and yield stress. The comprehensive rheological profile produced by the instrument can be used for product life cycle management, and the evaluation of existing drugs for new market applications.

The Rheolog debuted in November 2001 as the first device designed for the in vivo measurement of the biophysical properties of unadulterated, circulating whole blood. With the addition of in-vitro capabilities, the Rheolog offers pharmaceutical firms the unique opportunity to combine the benefits of in-vitro testing of human blood - speed, ease of use, reproducibility and standardization -- with the accepted reliability of data derived from in vivo testing.

'There is an increasing need for new approaches to drug development in order to shorten development lead times and provide healthcare professionals with additional treatment options,' said Kenneth R. Kensey, M.D., CEO of Rheologics. 'Pharmaceutical companies striving to maximize their investment in discovering breakthrough drugs need more sophisticated methods of compound evaluation during development. Evaluating the effects of drugs on the biophysical properties of blood opens a previously unexplored area of physiology for pharmaceutical companies. Researchers can now get a picture of how a drug affects blood flow. This knowledge opens the door to the possibility of developing entirely new classes of drugs.'

As researchers gain more knowledge of blood's biophysical properties and its role in various diseases, more effective drugs can be developed. A possible development approach may be to combine a viscosity altering additive with an existing drug to improve the biodeliverability of the drug, increase its effectiveness, and generate new patents.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/12115/rheologics-announces-in-vitro-drug-development-and-discovery-capabilities.html