Sigma-Aldrich Launches In Vitro ADME, Toxicology Assays

Sigma-Aldrich Corporation’s (SIAL) biologics and early-development services business under SAFC Commercial — BioReliance — has introduced in vitro ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) and toxicology testing services for pharmaceutical, chemical and industrial consumer products.

These services use a line of genetically modified cells created with Sigma-Aldrich’s patented technology — CompoZr zinc finger nuclease (:ZFN). According to Daniel Aparicio, Executive Director and General Manager of Toxicology at BioReliance, this service is a perfect match for the current genetic testing portfolio at BioReliance as it uses human cell-based examinations.

These services have benefited consumers by decreasing the risks associated with assays as well as the total cost of owning it. The tests predict outcomes by checking the amount of permeability, transport, metabolism and toxicity in a drug product, which is quite helpful for consumers.

Since each cell is tested for functionality in its discovery phase, consumers can separate the compounds likely to affect the safety and efficiency of the drug. Moreover, the products have abided by the guidelines of regulatory agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (:FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA.TO) and the International Transporter Consortium (ITC).

This expanding portfolio of cell lines which are now available as products and services has created a big platform for in vitro ADME and toxicology testing. Testing in the early phases of drug discovery and development reduces costs, use of animals and abide by the strict regulations which have in turn increased the demand for in vitro ADME and Tox assays and services.

Sigma-Aldrich is a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) stock.

Better-ranked stocks worth considering in the chemical space are Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTX), Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. (GSM) and LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (LYB). While Minerals Technologies sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Globe Specialty Metals and LyondellBasell carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

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