BioDuro LLC is a global life sciences contract research and development organization (CRO). The company has acquired Molecular Response LLC and its extensive cancer biobank of >100,000 viable tumors, as well as its capacity as a biorepository. Molecular Response will become a wholly-owned subsidiary, expanding its operations in Shanghai, Beijing and San Diego with new service offerings from the biobank platform [1].
Molecular Response has developed the technology of ex vivo three-dimensional tumor growth assay (3DX-TGA) including 16 tumour types. Drug discovery has traditionally started with a high-throughput screen using 2D cell culture methods, however when drug candidates from such screens reach preclinical and clinical trials 95% fail [2]. One reason for this failure is a lack of representation of the tumour microenviroment. The 3DX-TGA model is a cost effective and scalable alternative to 2D models that has no requirement for animal husbandry. The core components are patient derived tumour cells, and mouse extracellular matrix which has been “humanized” by co-culture with patient-derived (and matched) cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) [3]. This will complement BioDuro’s patient-derived mouse xenograft (PDX) model forming a screen and Verify™ platform.
BioDuro maintains a state-of-the-art in vivo oncology capability, including 18,000 sq ft Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) accredited vivarium, cell-derived xenograft (CDX), patient-derived xenograft (PDX), and syngeneic oncology models. Services include animal imaging and multi-color flow cytometry for immune cell analysis. Immuno-oncology is one of the most successful fields of cancer therapeutics, however modelling the human immune system remains a challenge. Each model has its advantages and limitations.
In addition to discovery and development support BioDuro’s Drug Product Manufacturing team provides a comprehensive service for clinical trial material preparation in support of Phase 0 to Phase II studies.
Sources
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bioduro-completes-acquisition-of-molecular-response-to-accelerate-translational-oncology-capabilities-300607827.html
- Lovitt CJ, Shelper TB, Avery VM. Advanced cell culture techniques for cancer drug discovery. Biology (Basel). 2014 May 30;3(2):345-67. doi: 10.3390/biology3020345. PubMed PMID: 24887773
- https://molecularresponse.com/immune-oncology/
