Roche adopts Fluofarma’s platform

The collaboration will be focused on the development and miniaturization of innovative cell based assays using high throughput flow cytometry and on the development of computational models which can be used to improve the predictability of hepatotoxicity and the safety profiling of compounds in liver cells. Under the terms of the research collaboration and license agreement, Roche and Fluofarma will work together to develop a hepatotoxicity prediction tool based on HCS that may lead to future increased synergies. Financial terms and conditions of the partnership were not disclosed.

Toxicity evaluation is one of the first steps in the drug discovery process and hepatotoxicity is particularly important as the liver plays a central role in transforming and clearing chemicals. By assessing the susceptibility to the toxicity of new agents in early stages, the goal is to minimize/eliminate hepatotoxicity in the development of new drugs and molecules. The new technology developed by this collaboration will potentially help pharmaceutical companies develop safer drugs.  

Fluofarma HCS innovative platform is based on automated flow cytometry, confocal imaging and laser scanning cytometry, and enables the functional analysis of several molecular events simultaneously in living cells with a high throughput. Thus Fluofarma’s HCS technologies constitute a unique and powerful drug discovery method that combines cell-based assays with large-scale analysis. The technology developed by Fluofarma is considered crucial to provide relevant information concerning drug safety and efficacy early in the drug discovery process. The use of Fluofarma technology should accelerate the availability of new, more efficient and safer drugs. 


Jean-Baptiste PIN, CEO of Fluofarma declared: “We’re very proud or the recognition we have received for our proprietary technological platforms and bioengineering knowhow. This agreement with Roche, leading research-focused healthcare company, is a tremendous growth accelerator for Fluofarma. For us, it’s the demonstration that our technologies and bioengineering knowhow can be of value to the biotech and pharmaceutical industries”. He added: “We are all very excited to be able to contribute to the development of new, more efficient and safer drugs, which have the potential to address health problems.”

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About Fluofarma:

Fluofarma is a privately-held contract service organization which offers High Content Screening (HCS) services and technologies for target and drug discovery, and predictive toxicity testing. The company was created in 2003 by a team of scientists with in-depth, expertise in oncology, neurobiology and chemistry.

Since its inception, Fluofarma has developed innovative technologies designed for automated flow cytometry, confocal microscopy and laser scanning cytometry to improve the level of understanding of compounds and their effects, from the earliest stage of the discovery process onwards.

Fluofarma’ services include:
- Development & miniaturization of cell-based assays,
- Functional screening for target and drug discovery,
- Compound profiling and mechanism of action studies,
- Predictive toxicity testing at a large scale.

The company is headquartered in Bordeaux, France, and now works with over 30 major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide.

For more information, please visit: http://www.fluofarma.com

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Contacts :

FLUOFARMA:
Julie PLANE +33 (0)5 4000 3027 Business@fluofarma.com

MILESTONES – Press Relations:
Bruno ARABIAN +33 (0)1 7544 8740 barabian@milestones.fr

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