BioReliance Licenses B-CLEAR® Technology from Qualyst Transporter Solutions for Drug Transporter Studies

ST. LOUIS, April 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ –BioReliance^® (www.bioreliance.com), Sigma-Aldrich Corporation's (NASDAQ: SIAL) biologics and early-development services business under SAFC^® Commercial (www.sigmaaldrich.com/safc), is pleased to announce a non-exclusive license agreement with Qualyst Transporter Solutions (QTS) for its proprietary B-CLEAR^® technology. Used in conjunction with BioReliance technologies, B-CLEAR enables researchers to assess drug disposition and drug interactions within complex, whole-cell liver systems.

When applied to properly functioning hepatic cells, B-CLEAR opens the bile pockets (analogous to bile canaliculi in vivo), allowing material that has been transported from inside the cell into the bile pocket to be measured. The efflux measurements can then facilitate evaluation of biliary clearance, transporter interactions and intracellular concentration.  

Until now, the study of the individual role of a transporter in primary hepatocytes and HepaRG cells, which express all of the hepatic transporters, was very difficult. However, by using Sigma-Aldrich CompoZr^® Zinc Finger Nuclease (ZFN) technology, HepaRG transporter knockout cell lines have been created empowering more accurate research investigations of liver transporters. The B-CLEAR technology enables effective measurement of uptake and efflux into the bile pocket, and the overall integrated effect of transporters and metabolism can also be evaluated.

"The ability to accurately predict drug transporter interactions in the liver is a critical part of developing safer and more efficacious therapies," said Paul Brooks, Ph.D., Head of Discovery Research Services at Sigma-Aldrich. "We have licensed the B-CLEAR technology to offer a more complete support service for drug transporter assessment, which is in line with BioReliance's drive to deliver the most innovative advances in in vitro ADME/Tox studies to address customers' most pressing needs."

"B-CLEAR technology exclusively allows users to measure compound in the bile pocket, and is the first technology of its kind to enable measuring of physiologic intracellular concentrations. Whether a user is interested in uptake transporter knockouts or efflux transporter knockouts, measuring changes in intracellular concentration is the perfect readout to understand their effects," said Dr. Christopher Black, CEO for Qualyst Transporter Solutions. "We are thrilled to make this licensing agreement with Sigma-Aldrich and BioReliance, and look forward to seeing its positive impact on the pharmaceutical industry."

Patented in over 45 countries, QTS' B-CLEAR technology can be accessed by end-users though services at BioReliance, and as products from Sigma-Aldrich. To learn more about BioReliance's in vitro ADME and toxicology testing services, please visit: http://www.bioreliance.com/invitroadmetox.aspx.

About BioReliance by SAFC: As part of the Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, operating under the SAFC Commercial business unit, BioReliance is a key component of the company's commercial life science services portfolio. With locations worldwide, BioReliance offers more than 1,000 tests and complementary services related to biologics safety testing and specialized toxicology. For more information, visit www.bioreliance.com.

About SAFC: SAFC Commercial, the custom manufacturing and services business unit of Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, is recognized as a top 10 global specialty chemicals and biologics supplier. As a trusted manufacturer for the life science and high-technology industries, SAFC works closely with customers to resolve development challenges and accelerate the product pipeline using its global "Centers of Excellence" and dedicated manufacturing facilities. Its rich portfolio includes high-purity inorganic materials for high-technology applications, critical raw materials and extensive biologics safety testing services for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and complex, high-potent APIs and key intermediates for pharmaceutical manufacturing. For more information, visit www.sigma-aldrich.com/safc.

About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich, a leading Life Science and Technology company focused on enhancing human health and safety, manufactures and distributes 250,000 chemicals, biochemicals and other essential products to more than 1.4 million customers globally in research and applied labs as well as in industrial and commercial markets. With three distinct business units - Research, Applied and SAFC Commercial - Sigma-Aldrich is committed to enabling science to improve the quality of life. The Company operates in 37 countries, has approximately 9,300 employees worldwide and had sales of $2.79 billion in 2014. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its website at www.sigma-aldrich.com.

©2015 Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC. All rights reserved. Sigma-Aldrich, BioReliance, SAFC, and CompoZr are trademarks of Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC or its affiliates, registered in the U.S. and other countries. B-CLEAR is a registered trademark of Qualyst, Inc.

SOURCE Sigma-Aldrich

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