The biotechnology company Biobide has developed a method using the zebrafish animal model to measure the pharmacological efficacy of new medications in the research stage for treating cancer. This new trial, in which two important pharmaceutical companies have already expressed interest, strengthens Biobide’s support for the zebrafish.
The growing number of applications for the zebra fish in the Drug Discovery and Development process has increased the demand for this type of services.
Specifically, Biobide has developed a trial that makes it possible to detect a compound’s capacity to inhibit angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels from those already existing). This physiological process is fundamental for tumor growth in metastasis. This process is involved in other pathologies, such as diabetic retinopathy and psoriasis, among others; this is why it is important to have a method to validate compounds that might affect it.
This anti-angiogenesis trial, which is totally automated on Biobide’s High Throughput Screening platform, was validated using more than 230 compounds with very satisfactory results. It should be pointed out that this trial is the result of Biobide’s participation in the Seventh European Community Framework Program, which promotes the use of animal models in Drug Discovery processes.
The zebra fish stands out for having a greater than 85% genetic match with humans, and the fact that its embryos are transparent and develop in 24-48 hours. These characteristics enable us to study the effects of new compounds administered to these animals at a lower cost and considerably faster than with the other animal models available.
Source: healthcanal