News and Press Releases

03 March 2010: Gentronix Signs 3 Year Agreement with GlaxoSmithKline for GreenScreen and BlueScreen Assays

Gentronix Limited Manchester, UK announced today that it has entered into a three year agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to provide GreenScreen HC and BlueScreen HC genotoxicity assays for use by GSK in genotoxicity screening.

This agreement extends the existing relationship between Gentronix and GSK in respect of GreenScreen HC, to include the use by GSK of BlueScreen HC in 384 well format, the latest Gentronix human cell reporter-based assay for compound profiling.

GreenScreen HC was the first human cell-based assay technology that combined high sensitivity for detecting genotoxic chemicals with high specificity for reducing false positive results. This assay gives rapid results, provides additional data for safety profiling and consumes very low quantities of compound.

BlueScreen HC is the new Luciferase based assay that combines all of the attributes of GreenScreen HC with the ability to be run in 384 well micro-titre plate format. This new assay provides a viable route to early detection of genotoxicity, which is known to be associated with compound attrition.

The proprietary reporter based assays have been demonstrated to detect known classes of genotoxic agent, and utilize Green Fluorescent Protein or Gaussia Luciferase in order to detect GADD-45a up-regulation, which is a key indicator of DNA damage.

John Nicholson, CEO and Chairman of Gentronix said ‘we are delighted to announce this further agreement with GSK. It provides additional validation for our technology and provides an opportunity for our customers to take advantage of the benefits of early liability screening for more cost effective drug discovery and development.’

10 June 2009: Gentronix and Apredica Ally to Create Predictive-Toxicology Service.

Joint Service Offering to Increase Drug Development Success and the Safety of New Drugs on the Market.  Click here for more details of the service offering....

Gentronix Limited, a genotoxicity product and services provider, and Apredica, an ADME-Tox contract research laboratory, today announced a strategic alliance to provide drug-discovery support services in the area of predictive toxicology.  The objective of the alliance is to reduce the failure rate of drugs in late development, particularly due to toxicity, thereby improving the efficiency of drug discovery and increasing assurance that new drugs are safe. “Gentronix and Apredica have worked closely together for over a year,” said Dr Katya Tsaioun, President of Apredica.  “We have developed a joint predictive toxicology offering based on a set of assays that accurately predict many known mechanisms of human toxicities.”  In addition to the joint service offering, UK-based Gentronix and US-based Apredica have also agreed to become mutual agents. 

The alliance offers a new suite of predictive in vitro toxicology services to help improve the speed and efficiency of drug development.  Commenting on the announcement, John Nicholson, Chairman and CEO of Gentronix said:  “Early prediction of genotoxicity and attrition-rate improvement is critical to the success of drug discovery.  Our alliance with Apredica allows our customers to concentrate resources on compounds most likely to succeed in development, and to select the best candidates for clinical trials sooner." Drug discovery and development programs see many drug candidates fail in clinical-trial stages, which are the most costly and time-consuming stages of drug development.  Dr Tsaioun explains:  “Many of these failures could have been avoided through the application of early ADME testing and toxicity profiling, which can quickly and cost-effectively identify drug candidates with characteristics that would preclude regulatory approval.  Early identification of these sure-to-fail candidates saves not only millions of dollars, but also months or years of research time that could have gone towards producing a successful drug candidate.  Our joint service offering with Gentronix will provide new information that drug-discovery teams can use to reduce the risk of expensive, later stage failure, to increase the likelihood of program success, and to accelerate their programs towards IND.”  Reducing attrition rates in drug development, especially the later stages of development, is critical to increasing the success and efficiency of drug discovery.  Identifying problems with new chemical entities as early as possible allows resources to be directed towards chemistries with greater propensities to advance to candidate selection and on to clinical evaluation. 

24 February 2009: Gentronix Agrees Genotoxicity Safety Screening Agreement with GSK for GreenScreen HC

Gentronix Limited has announced that it has entered into an agreement to provide GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) with its novel genotoxicity detection assay GreenScreen HC.

GreenScreen HC is the first human cell based assay technology that combines high sensitivity for detecting genotoxic chemicals with high specificity for reducing false positive results. The assay is amenable to high throughput screening, provides additional data for safety profiling, consumes very low quantities of compound and gives rapid results.  The proprietary reporter based assay detects all known classes of genotoxic agent and utilizes Green Fluorescent Protein in order to detect GADD45a up-regulation which is a key indicator of DNA damage.

John Nicholson, CEO and Chairman of Gentronix said ‘we have worked with GSK previously on the early validation of our technology and are delighted that they will be incorporating GreenScreen HC into their safety evaluation activities. This agreement provides important validation of our technology and demonstrates the value we bring to our customers’.  Financial terms of the agreement were not released.

04 September 2008: Gentronix Goes East

Innovative biotechnology company Gentronix (Manchester, UK) is pleased to announce a new agreement with LSG Corporation (Tokyo, Japan). The deal enables introduction of the GreenScreen® HC range of human cell-based genotoxicity assays access across Japan, allowing scientists to accelerate the pace of drug discovery and development. 
 
LSG has over 30 years’ experience providing researchers the tools and products required to solve even the toughest challenges within the life science arena. As a subsidiary of EPS Co., Ltd., one of the largest clinical research organisations (CROs) in Japan, LSG is the ideal partner to promote the benefits of GreenScreen assays in this key market. GreenScreen HC, also available with a standardised S9 metabolic activation protocol, identifies genotoxic compounds in early screening of drug candidates. With a microplate format to enable high-throughput analysis, GreenScreen helps to remove the current bottlenecks commonly found in preclinical research and development.

Commercial director at Gentronix, Steve Beasley, comments: “We are delighted to have signed this agency agreement with LSG Corporation. LSG’s experience and extensive contacts in the Japanese life sciences and toxicology sectors will help to further develop our customer base in this important market.”

05 June 2008: Gentronix use Abcellute Preserved Hepatocytes to Enhance in vitro Genotoxicity Testing

Safety assessment in drug discovery requires the in vitro genotoxicity assessment of metabolites. This is currently achieved by incubating compounds with liver extracts (‘S9’), because when genotoxicity tests were developed there was no reliable supply of fresh hepatocytes. Being able to use fresh hepatocytes for testing metabolites, instead of extracts with their limited metabolic activity, could be a major advance. This possibility has now moved a significant step closer. In the first stage of a major collaboration, Gentronix have successfully co-cultured their GreenScreen HC genotoxicity reporter cells with fresh hepatocytes preserved in Abcellute’s matrix in the presence of test material.
 

The results were presented by Gentronix at the recent US Society of Toxicology Meeting. According to Professor Richard Walmsley of Gentronix these results promise a major breakthrough; “We are extremely encouraged by these results.  Our initial work shows that the GreenScreen HC assay can be used to assess the genotoxicity of metabolites generated by either S9 extracts or non-frozen preserved primary hepatocytes provided by Abcellute Ltd. The predictable differences in metabolism provided by S9 extracts and hepatocytes are readily apparent from the results - and represent a refinement in the use of animal material.  It is now conceivable that preserved human hepatocytes could be routinely used in pre-clinical safety assessment.”  Dr Nathan Griffiths, Abcellute’s Chief Scientific Officer, said: “The results indicate the potential for our matrix in this exciting area. They match similar evaluations in our core preclinical market conducted by leading pharmaceutical companies, contract research organisations and academic institutes in Europe, the USA and Japan”.

02 June 2008: Manchester Scientists Highlighted for Contribution to UK Economy

Scientists and bioscience research groups from the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University have been highlighted for their contribution to the UK’s economic and social wellbeing.

At a recent event at HM Treasury, "Bioscience: Biomillions", run by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Gentronix was among a wide range of research and innovation output from the two Manchester Universities highlighted for their economic and social impact.r

read more...

10 March 2008: Gentronix Launches New Genotoxic Metabolite Detection Assay

Now available with an S9 protocol to detect genotoxic metabolites, GreenScreen HC from Gentronix is a human cell-based genotoxicity screening assay used in drug discovery programmes during lead compound optimisation and candidate selection.

Potential pharmaceutical compounds which only present a genotoxicity hazard after metabolism, usually by the liver, are known as pro-genotoxins. The utility of GreenScreen HC has now been extended to detect pro-genotoxins as well as all common mechanistic classes of genotoxin including mutagens, clastogens, aneugens, as well as both topoisomerase and polymerase inhibitors.

Using a standardized 96-well microplate format, the test compound and patented Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) reporter cells are combined with 1% S9 for a 3 hour exposure period.  After exposure, cells are washed to remove the S9 and test compound and then allowed a further 45 hour recovery incubation. Cell viability and GFP fluorescence data are assessed using flow cytometry and simple software generates quantitative results and a graphical output.

Minimal investment in early genotoxicity screening delivers major time savings, avoids unnecessary animal testing and prevents costly late stage failures of lead drug compounds through early detection of genotoxic potential. Combining exceptional levels of specificity and sensitivity, GreenScreen HC also correctly identifies non-carcinogenic compounds known to give misleading positive results in other in vitro genotoxicity assays.

12 November 2007: Gentronix Announces Addition to its Executive Team and Board of Directors

Gentronix Ltd, leaders in cellular biosensor systems for pre-clinical genetic toxicology announced today the appointment of Dr Steven Beasley as Commercial Director and member of the board.  Steve joins Gentronix with over twenty years experience of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry gained from both research and commercial roles. Previously CEO of bioscience knowledge organization bioKneX and Chief Business Officer of De Novo Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Steve will head the commercial operations of Gentronix as it moves forward with its growth plans for GreenScreen HC and its next generation products.

John Nicholson, Chairman and CEO of Gentronix said, “The team and I are delighted that someone of Steve’s experience is in place to lead the next exciting commercialization phase of the company’s development”. Steve Beasley commented on his appointment “The level of scientific validation that Gentronix and its customers have generated for its next generation human cell based genotoxicity system GreenScreen HC is excellent. An increasing number of companies are adopting Gentronix technology as a cost effective method of ensuring that only the best compounds without genotoxic liability, are progressed to lead optimization and pre-clinical development. I am excited about the opportunities that Gentronix presents and look forward to working with the board, the company and customers as we move Gentronix forward.” 

17 October 2007: GreenScreen HC presented to European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing

Prize winning work by GlaxoSmithKline and Gentronix Ltd in improving the identification of cancer causing chemicals using GreenScreen HC is to be presented to parliamentarians at the annual meeting of the European Commission Partnership on Alternatives to Animal Testing (EPAA). The cell-based genotoxicity screening assay from Gentronix, GreenScreen HC, is much more accurate for these specific tests than the existing cell culture assays, thus far fewer chemicals have then to be tested in animals; tests which are currently necessary to see whether chemicals actually have the potential to cause cancer. The work will be presented at the EPAA annual meeting in Brussels in November.

12 September 2007: BioReliance Launches Next-Generation Genotoxicity Screening Service

BioReliance Corporation, a leading contract services organization for the biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industries, has contracted with Gentronix to offer their GreenScreen HC in vitro assay as a major part of BioReliance’s portfolio of genotoxicity screening services.  GreenScreen HC, in conjunction with Ames II assays, allows pharmaceutical companies to test for genotoxic potential earlier in the preclinical development process, using only a few milligrams of test compound as opposed to the gram quantities required by current ICH regulatory tests.

03 March 2007: NVM Invests £1 million in Gentronix.

NVM Private Equity Limited (NVM) has committed £1 million as part of a new funding round of £1.4 million into Gentronix.

Tim Levett from NVM who led the deal comments: "The early detection kits which Gentronix has developed address a critical lack of accuracy in the regulatory screening tests. Without this, the re-testing and development of a drug that is later thrown out is a time consuming and expensive business. We are delighted to be investing in Gentronix, helping them further develop screening kits and also manage the intellectual property of their cutting edge portfolio."

02 March 2007: Gentronix wins an award...

Gentronix wins an award at an event to showcase the research sponsored by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).

Gentronix has received an award for most successfully communicating to Parliamentarians their work to reduce the use of animals in research and chemical testing, at a showcase event in Portcullis House, London. The prize was won by Richard Walmsley and Nick Billinton, Gentronix Ltd and Paul Hastwell, GlaxoSmithKline for their work in improving the identification of cancer causing chemicals using human cell cultures.

01 February 2007: Gentronix Launches Next Generation Genotoxicity Screen, GreenScreen HC.

Gentronix is launching its novel human cell based genotoxicity screening assay, GreenScreen HC, at Screening Europe in February and in North America at the Society of Toxicology annual meeting in March.

01 August 2006: Next Generation Human Cell Genotoxicity Screen Unveiled at DDT 2006.

Gentronix unveiled its novel high-throughput genotoxicity screening assay at Drug Discovery Technology (August 7-10 Boston, MA). Utilising human cells, GreenScreen HC is the first in vitro mammalian cell assay suitable for HTS. It has a unique combination of both exceptionally high sensitivity and specificity.

01 July 2006: Gentronix awarded a grant...

Gentronix awarded a grant from The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research.

Drs Richard Walmsley and Nick Billinton have been awarded a grant for £133,000 for the development of a new human cell genotoxicity assay to reduce the use of live animals in drug development.

01 July 2006: GreenScreen for Environmental Monitoring Launched.

Gentronix has launched GreenScreen® EM, for the rapid biomonitoring of genotoxic and acutely toxic contaminants in environmental samples.

01 May 2006: NeuroSolutions enters into a Collaboration Agreement with Gentronix

NeuroSolutions enters into a Collaboration Agreement with Gentronix to use GreenScreen for the Development of NSL-105.

NeuroDiscovery Ltd (ASX: NDL) a neurology-focused research and development company, is pleased to announce its 100% subsidiary, NeuroSolutions Ltd (NeuroSolutions) has entered into a collaborative agreement with Gentronix Ltd (Gentronix) to accelerate the pre-clinical development of NSL-105. Gentronix (Manchester, UK), is a developer of screening assays to identify potential genetic toxicology early in the drug discovery process.

Pursuant to the agreement both companies will seek to assess the genetic toxicology of NSL-105 by using GreenScreen, Gentronix's commercially available yeast-based assay, which is a proven early screening tool in the drug development process. In particular, the assay's high specificity is demonstrated by the extremely low incidence of false positives compared to other available tests.

NeuroDiscovery Chairman, Dr Mark Treherne said "We are delighted to collaborate with Gentronix and this agreement will provide us with a significant opportunity to accelerate the development of NSL-105 to build an in-depth pipeline of innovative products for the treatment of a variety of painful medical conditions. Recent forecasts predict a global market value for neuropathic pain treatments of over US$4 billion by 2007."

01 April 2006: Gentronix secures BBSRC R&D award.

Gentronix (Manchester, UK), developer of screening assays to identify genetic toxins early in the drug discovery process, has been awarded a £287,000 Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) grant from the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

The purpose of the two-year grant is to assist small businesses initiate or develop new research programmes, and will provide Gentronix with two scientists, cell culture facilities, and supporting laboratory instrumentation at its Manchester Incubator Core Technology Facility premises. GreenScreen GC, the company’s commercially available yeast-based assay, is already proving a valuable early screening tool in the drug development process. In particular the assay’s high specificity is demonstrated by the extremely low incidence of false positives compared to other available tests.

The SBRI grant will enable Gentronix to build on this early success, and research and develop additional assays using alternative cell lines. The aim is to increase screening sensitivity so that no genetically toxic compounds are missed whilst retaining the high specificity required, ensuring potentially valuable lead compounds are not eliminated from further development.

Link to article in BBSRC Business (page 7)

03 May 2005: GreenScreen Helps Johnson & Johnson in Early Identification of Genotoxic Compounds.

New research published recently in Mutagenesis has confirmed the value to Johnson & Johnson of Gentronix GreenScreen as an effective early screening test for genotoxicity in lead drug candidates.

Link to article.

01 May 2005: Jellyfish Lights Up to Help Beat Cancer.

The Manchester Evening News reports on Gentronix successfully raising £1m in funding to drive the business forward, with applications for its technology in the areas of drug discovery and environmental monitoring.

01 May 2005: Gentronix Completes Fund Raising Round.

Gentronix Ltd has completed a £1m fund raising round supported by YFM Private Equity Ltd., Manchester Technology Fund Ltd., The University of Manchester IP Ltd. and Private Investors. The company, whose customers include two of the world's top five pharmaceutical companies, will use the funds to develop further its customer base on an international basis, via new sales and laboratory resources. The Chairman, John Nicholson, said that "Gentronix is delighted to have the backing of its new investors and is looking forward to developing the business and the technology vigorously."

01 November 2004: Demonstrating Technology for Toxicity.

Chemistry World reports on how water quality tests have been scrutinised in a technology demonstration project comparing fast toxicity assessment kits, in an effort to validate these new tests against standard benchmark procedures.

01 April 2004: Gentronix wins "Best Environmental Technology" Award

Gentronix wins "Best Environmental Technology" Award for GreenScreen EM at the Northwest Business Environment Awards 2004 ceremony.

Awarded for the design and production of the GreenScreen EM assay and associated instrumentation for the monitoring of toxic and genotoxic contaminants in surface waters and soils. The product's aim is to improve water quality, reduce the risk to the public from exposure to toxic pollutants and enable industries to comply the increasing legislation requiring the monitoring of effluent discharges into the environment.

01 April 2004: Yeast Rises to Space Station Project.

01 November 2002: Gentronix honoured at Northwest’s first Biotechnology Awards.

Gentronix has been honoured at the first ever Northwest Biotechnology Awards Ceremony. The event was hosted by Bionow, the biotechnology cluster development programme of the Northwest Development Agency. Gentronix won Biotechnology Project of the Year for the development of the company's first product, GreenScreen GC, while Dr Andrew Knight and Dr Nick Billinton from Gentronix, jointly received the award for Young Biotechnologist of the Year.

01 April 2002: Gentronix Participates in BIO-WISE Demonstrator Project

Gentronix Participates in BIO-WISE Demonstrator Project for Assessing Toxicity in Industrial Effluents.

A BIO-WISE Demonstrator Project grant worth £68,000 has been awarded to a 15-month project involving a collaboration of chemical companies from the Specialised Organic Chemicals Sector Association (SOCSA), three biosensor suppliers including Gentronix Ltd, the Environment Agency and AstraZeneca Ltd.

01 January 2002: Manchester Metro News

Manchester Metro News story "Space age equivalent of the canary in the mines".

01 October 2000: Manchester Metro News

Manchester Metro News story "Jellyfish helps in fight against cancer threat".

01 September 1999: BBC Radio 4 "The Material World"

BBC Radio 4 "The Material World" had a feature on fluorescence. Richard Walmsley from Gentronix and Bob Burlage (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA) talked about different aspects of GFP reporters.

01 April 1999: CNN News team visited our labs

CNN News team visited our labs to make a feature for "Science and Technology Week".

01 March 1999: Sensor Technology Alert

Sensor Technology Alert - Independent review.

01 February 1999: New Scientist article

New Scientist article "Green for Danger".