News and Press Releases

Monday, March 10, 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.

Monday, November 12, 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.” 

Wednesday, October 17, 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.

Wednesday, September 12, 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.

Saturday, March 03, 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."

Friday, March 02, 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.

Thursday, February 01, 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.

Tuesday, August 01, 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.

Saturday, July 01, 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.

Saturday, July 01, 2006: GreenScreen for Environmental Monitoring Launched.

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

Monday, May 01, 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."

Saturday, April 01, 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)

Tuesday, May 03, 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.

Sunday, May 01, 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.

Sunday, May 01, 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."

Monday, November 01, 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.

Thursday, April 01, 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.

Thursday, April 01, 2004: Yeast Rises to Space Station Project.

Friday, November 01, 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.

Monday, April 01, 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.

Tuesday, January 01, 2002: Manchester Metro News

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

Sunday, October 01, 2000: Manchester Metro News

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

Wednesday, September 01, 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.

Thursday, April 01, 1999: CNN News team visited our labs

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

Monday, March 01, 1999: Sensor Technology Alert

Sensor Technology Alert - Independent review.

Monday, February 01, 1999: New Scientist article

New Scientist article "Green for Danger".