Corcept Therapeutics And Xceleron Sign Agreement For Microdosing Study Using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry
Corcept Therapeutics and Xceleron recently announced an agreement for a human microdosing study of one of Corcept's new chemical entities, a selective GR-II antagonist, utilizing Xceleron's Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) technology.
In early 2003, Corcept initiated a discovery research program to identify and patent selective GR-II antagonists to develop a pipeline of products for proprietary use. Three distinct series of GR-II antagonists were identified. These compounds appear to be as potent as Corcept's lead product CORLUX in blocking cortisol but, unlike CORLUX, they do not block the progesterone or other steroid receptors. Corcept will evaluate one of the compounds, one which develops particularly high plasma and brain concentrations in an animal model, in a human microdosing study using Xceleron's AMS technology.
Joseph K. Belanoff, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Corcept said "We look forward to testing the bioavailability of our proprietary specific cortisol receptor antagonists in man. There are many potential clinical uses for cortisol blocking agents, particularly those that do not block the activity of other hormones. Our collaboration with Xceleron, and the use of their highly innovative approach, will save Corcept significant time and cost."
Xceleron will carry out the work using ultra-sensitive AMS. This most sensitive measuring device enables human drug-metabolite profiling to be performed in the early stages of clinical development. This type of analysis allows drug developers to detect and measure ultra-low levels of both known and previously unknown metabolites producing data that isn't available using other analytical techniques. Early human profiling also helps identify the most suitable species for use in long term toxicology and pharmacology studies.
About Xceleron
Xceleron is a global leader in analytical strategies for drug development. It is a proven partner to a range of over 100 pharma-biotech businesses, adding value through optimisation of Exploratory Clinical Development programmes.
Xceleron is a successful, fast-growing business, recognised as the leader in its field and rich in intellectual property and know-how. Operating as a drug development centre of excellence the information Xceleron generates enables its partners to exercise informed decisions on new candidate biologics and drugs, faster and more cost-effectively than competing technologies.
Xceleron delivers a range of smart approaches to Exploratory Clinical Studies in Microdosing, Mass Balance, Absolute Bioavailability and Metabolite Profiling. By building its own substantive and innovative R & D programme in association with worldwide drug developers Xceleron continues to deliver new ultra-sensitive analytical services including Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) molecule analysis, drug-drug interactions, metabolic-markers, protein labelling, standards and clinical data interpretation. More information can be obtained on www.xceleron.com
SOURCE: Corcept Therapeutics