BioAscent has invested in a FLIPR Penta screening system, enhancing its high-throughput cellular screening capabilities for key target classes including GPCRs and ion channels.

The new FLIPR system enables BioAscent to develop and run assays for the high throughput measurement of rapid kinetic events such as intracellular ion flux in response to GPCR or ion channel activation.

GPCRs are historically one of the most successful target classes for drug development, and there is increasing interest in GPCR targets within the drug discovery industry. 

Thanks to our Organon/Schering Plough/MSD heritage, and to our recent experience prosecuting novel targets for the European Lead Factory and other BioAscent customers, BioAscent’s biologists and medicinal chemists have particular expertise in both GPCR drug discovery and use of the FLIPR technology.  Investment in the FLIPR Penta gives BioAscent access to a key screening technology for drug discovery programs against these target classes. 

This investment therefore builds capabilities in an area in which BioAscent already has a strong and growing reputation, having recently conducted a number of successful GPCR hit-finding projects for biotech customers.    

Stuart McElroy, Director of Biosciences at BioAscent, commented: “The investment in the FLIPR Penta gives us a key capability required for GPCR drug discovery, an area of particular expertise for the BioAscent team.  It enhances our strength and depth in key technologies that are tailored towards GPCR screening and profiling, nicely complimenting the Corning Epic© label free platform. It also provides significant throughput allowing us to more efficiently screen our own 125k diversity library for our clients.”

“Indeed, in a testament to our standing in this area, since the acquisition of the FLIPR in July, the BioAscent team has already commenced our first High Throughput Screen of the BioAscent 125k diversity library against a GPCR target.  We look forward to successfully supporting many more biotech customers with their GPCR and ion channel programs.”