Assessing Immunotoxicology During Drug Development: Highlights from a Webinar

Immunotoxicology assessment plays a large role in the drug development pipeline, especially for large molecules and biologics. Researchers in early drug development have a wide variety of immunologic assay methods available that can support research endpoints and offer opportunities for much clearer views into the efficacy and safety of a compound.

Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCT) Monthly Blog – February 2021

Most of our blogs focus on interesting things we hear from sponsors, new company developments, or interesting challenges we encounter as we partner with sponsors. This month, however, we want to take a look at it from the patient perspective. The changes of the past year have resulted in a shift in perception on the part of potential participants about their willingness to participate in DCTs.

Future-proofing Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Studies in Light of COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic impacted many clinical trials, sponsors were forced to quickly re-evaluate potential solutions to mitigate risks and keep trial participants safe. Continuing trials in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) research was especially difficult as patients living with chronic lung diseases may face a greater likelihood of complications if infected with SARS-CoV-2.To help sponsors understand the strategies for ensuring research continuity, protecting patients and “future-proofing” upcoming studies from similar unanticipated disruptions, Veerle Van De Velde, Senior Medical Director, Infectious Disease & General Medicine (iiGM) and Mark Dowling, Senior Director, Strategy & Planning, iiGM, shared their recent experiences in a presentation at the 4th Annual IPF Summit in 2020.

Innovation in Plasma Cell Enrichment for Multiple Myeloma Studies

Syndecan-1 (SDC1), also known as CD138, is a well-known and specific plasma cell marker that is highly expressed on the surface of multiple myeloma plasma cells. As it can be a challenge detecting the small number of malignant plasma cells within the large proportion of cells obtained from a bone marrow (BM) aspirate, CD138 plasma cell enrichment is key to isolating plasma cells from bone marrow aspirates. We recently sat down with Janelle Salkowitz-Bokal, PhD, Maria Coronesi, and Lucas Rifkin, MD, to explore how CD138 plasma enrichment enhances the sensitivity of downstream analysis for multiple myeloma testing.

Pesticide active ingredient renewal: how to negotiate the EU endocrine disruptor requirements

ED assessment of active substances in PPPs came into effect in November 2018 in the EU. Insights from EFSA’s assessment of the first 65 actives shows how guidance is applied and how waivers are being used. Read on to find out how to negotiate the ED assessment process and when to consider derogations for active substances with ED potential.

Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCT) Monthly Blog – March 2021

This month, we want to highlight the growing connections between decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) and the critical therapeutic area of oncology.

Expanding clinical trial support in Europe, the Middle East and Africa with a new automated kit production line

As part of a global growth and expansion strategy, we’re announcing the spring opening of a new kit production line at our European Operations Center (EOC). Based in Mechelen, Belgium, the EOC is a multi-use facility that handles dry ice production and distribution for the EU, as well as study and logistics support. This new automated kit production line will produce industry-leading specimen collection kits for investigator sites in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Minimal Residual Disease by Flow Cytometry: Latest Insights on Validation

Despite the development of cellular and antibody-based therapeutics that eliminate malignant cells, patients who have achieved complete remission or response may experience relapse. Increasing evidence suggests that the presence of measurable/minimal residual disease (MRD) in bone marrow (BM) tissue is one, if not the strongest, prognostic factor for disease outcome in patients with hematological conditions.1 There is now much interest around early use of MRD as a surrogate marker of survival, especially given its potential to accelerate trial reporting and be accepted as a primary/secondary trial endpoint. Here, we explore how next-generation flow cytometry (‘flow’) is integral to evaluating MRD.

Overcoming challenges in the processes of characterization, assessment, and registration of your UVCB in Europe

The demand under European regulations for detailed environmental risk assessment of UCVBs is challenging both the industry and regulators alike. Read on to explore the challenges and possible ways of overcoming them.

Who is most at risk for mold allergies? New study uncovers prevalence of mold allergies in the US

A recent study analyzed allergy testing data to identify who faces the highest risk for mold allergies and which mold species are most often linked to allergic reactions.