Ncardia Unveils Innovative Tests to Accelerate Drug Discovery
Netherlands, Wednesday, 11 September 2024.
Dutch biotech firm Ncardia introduces ready-to-use tests for screening therapeutic candidates, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases. This advancement aims to streamline drug development, offering standardized assays for conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The tests provide crucial data on drug efficacy and toxicity, potentially revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry’s approach to early-stage research.
A Step Forward in Healthtech
Ncardia’s new panel of ready-to-use tests represents a significant leap in health technology, specifically targeting neurodegenerative diseases. These standardized tests cover a broad spectrum of conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD), neuro-inflammation, and neurotoxicity. By employing human models, Ncardia aims to deliver more accurate and timely data on the efficacy and safety of therapeutic candidates, addressing a critical need in the pharmaceutical industry.
How the Tests Work
The innovative panel includes assays for gene and protein expression, protein aggregation, lysosome function, neuronal health, and neurofilament light chain (NF-L), a key biomarker for neurodegeneration. These tests can be utilized at any stage of drug research, including target mapping, hit discovery, and lead optimization. By providing outputs relevant to various drug modalities, the tests promise to enhance the efficiency of drug development pipelines.
Leadership and Vision
Jeroen de Groot, PhD, Divisional CEO at Ncardia, emphasized the importance of this innovation, stating, “Our new test panel is a major step forward in accelerating drug research.” Shushant Jain, PhD, Director of Discovery Technology, added, “A crucial part of this initiative is to provide our clients with timely, relevant data on the efficacy and toxicity of their drug candidates.” These statements highlight Ncardia’s commitment to expediting the drug discovery process and improving therapeutic outcomes.
Global Reach and Mission
Ncardia operates in Europe and North America, with offices in locations such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and the USA. The company’s mission is to leverage human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to accelerate the discovery and development of new drugs. By integrating iPSC technologies, Ncardia aims to provide better therapies to patients more rapidly, covering therapeutic areas such as cardiovascular diseases, oncology, and respiratory disorders.
Broader Implications for Drug Discovery
The use of human iPSCs in drug discovery is revolutionizing the field by providing more reliable models for human diseases compared to traditional animal models. High drug attrition rates are often attributed to the failure of preclinical assays to detect toxicity accurately. Ncardia’s approach, using human iPSC-derived cells, addresses this issue by offering more physiologically relevant data, thereby reducing the risk of late-stage clinical trial failures.
Conclusion
Ncardia’s launch of ready-to-use tests for therapeutic candidate screening marks a pivotal moment in health technology and drug development. By providing standardized, human-relevant assays, the company not only enhances the efficiency of drug discovery but also increases the likelihood of successful therapeutic interventions. This innovation stands to benefit both the pharmaceutical industry and patients worldwide, promising a faster and more reliable path to new treatments.