Target and Biomarker Validation

Asterand's PhaseZERO^® Drug Discovery Services platform utilizes human tissues in vitro to generate data that drive target validation and support decision making for progressing the best targets.

The services we provide apply across a range of different therapeutic research areas. Click here to download a summary of which PhaseZERO^® services can be accessed within your therapeutic area of interest.

Our Goal
We aim to provide data to support the validation of human targets and biomarkers to facilitate selection of those with the greatest likelihood of clinical success.

Our human tissue-based approach allows rapid and early evaluation of targets and biomarkers in biologically relevant tissues to:

• accelerate development
• reduce the risk of late stage failures
• improve productivity

Our Scope
For over 10 years our scientists have been consulted by and have collaborated with top, global pharmaceutical companies. We help our customers evaluate human targets and biomarkers, providing expertise and a tailored scientific approach to deliver high quality human tissue-based data.

Our Services
We provide a wide range of standard and custom assays in the following areas:

Gene Expression
The search for novel therapies to treat human disease often begins with the identification of viable drug targets via understanding gene expression differences between diseased and non-diseased tissues.

To support this understanding, Asterand offers two qRT-PCR-based services to validate human targets at the gene expression level:

XpressWay^TM Profiles
Quantitative gene expression profiles to identify which non-diseased human tissues express a given target. Data are used to confirm therapeutic approach, exploit opportunities to switch indication and identify the potential for side effects.

CustomMapping^TM
Quantitative gene expression data to understand differential expression of targets in any diseased and non-diseased tissue.

Gene and Protein Localization
To further understand the potential function of a human target and its possible role in disease, it is important to localize that target at the cellular level.

To achieve this, Asterand provides three core services:

In situ hybridization (ISH)
Cellular localization of target genes in human diseased and non-diseased tissues using high quality frozen human tissue sections or tissue microarrays.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
Cellular localization of target proteins in human diseased and non-diseased tissues using high quality FFPE or frozen human tissue sections or microarrays.

Autoradiography
Localization of ligand binding sites in frozen human tissue sections.

These studies allow you to:

• Validate gene expression data
• Identify differences in target expression and localization in human disease
• Explore target expression in different human tissues to identify the potential for side effects

Biomarkers
The need for clinical biomarkers (or biomarker cohorts) to support compound effect or identify safety issues is increasing and has been incorporated into the FDA critical path initiative.

Validation of biomarkers (gene or protein) in human tissues can be achieved using similar approaches to those described above.

Working with Asterand

• Scientific solutions
• Comprehensive range of research services available
• Existing, validated human tissue based assays
• Ability to custom design studies and develop new assays as required
• Scientific continuity provided throughout research programs
• Effective extension of our customer's research teams

• Confidence
  • Extensive experience in human tissue research and drug discovery
  • High quality human tissues and comprehensive clinical data
  • All human tissues are sourced with ethical approval and consent for research
  • Access to the right human tissues to perform the right experiments
  • Proven track record in experimental design and human tissue data interpretation
  • Collaborative approach and professional project management

• Speed
  • Ready access to fresh and frozen human tissues from our network
  • 24/7 operation for fresh human tissue experiments
  • Reliable data delivery to strict timelines

• Outsourcing solutions
• Ease of managing a single outsourced relationship for all human tissue needs
• Fee for service - all resulting data and IP belong to our customers
• Allow customers to focus on their core business