What technologies do you commonly use to generate fast, reliable data for drug development?
All the bioanalytical work is mass spectrometry-based, including liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry (LC−MS), gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC−MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP−MS), which is one of our specialty areas. ICP−MS capability allows the team to measure elements that are very specific to a drug and there are very few companies who can offer a service as robust as ours.
On a practical level, how does integrating clinical pharmacology, bioanalysis and pharmacokinetics actually speed up clinical development times?
Time savings come in the form of efficiencies which are formed from the integration of services from Arcinova and Quotient Sciences.
Transfers of information and data move from being external to internal, allowing a set of agreed standard specifications/timelines (e.g. data transfer), being able to jointly track of samples, which will allow close coordination of delivery days to minimize white space/delays. All of which will be managed under a single quotient project manager for all services managing and driving the whole project timeline.
It also facilitates a much easier relationship with clients, with continuity of contacts, methods and templates, the same bioanalytical, pharmacokinetic, project manager, sample shipment/management contacts for clients throughout development.
Where do you see the future of the bioanalytical services industry?
Contract bioanalytical services will continue to grow to meet the market demands. Whilst historically, most large pharmaceutical companies traditionally performed their bioanalysis in house, that model has dramatically changed over the last 10 years, with the majority now performed by CRO’s.
Consequently, the intrinsic knowledge and new generation of bioanalytical scientists now reside with the CRO’s, who can now leverage that to support both traditional pharma and emerging biotech companies, who’s knowledge in this field may be limited.
As our knowledge spans both pharma and CRO, we are in an ideal environment to support and guide our clients and this demand will continue to grow. We continue to invest in both technology and people, so the future is assured.