How early Phase I decisions can shape or compromise the regulatory and financing outcomes that define a biotech program's future.
News|Articles|December 12, 2024
Harnessing mRNA as a Readout to Develop Robust BioPotency Assays
Author(s)Catalent
Transcriptional activity within a cell can be used to evaluate cell response to a ligand or promoter activity within a transgene or plasmid within a cell. Catalent has developed a relative potency bioassay using real-time quantitative reverse transcription (RT-qPCR) in a duplex format to assess relative transcription activity in cells treated with ligands or transgenic vectors. The assay utilizes two fluorescent dyes with minimally overlapping emission spectra that allow real-time monitoring of the gene expression of both target and normalizer genes. The assay does not require purification of the mRNA produced by the cells once lysis has occurred. Normalizing the qPCR cycle thresholds (CT) of the target transcript to the reference transcript allows response curve to be generated and compared to a reference standard. The generation of a four-parameter fit curve analysis from raw qPCR cycle threshold data allows for comparison of relative potency and assessment of suitability based on curve parallelism. The assay platform has been used by Catalent to qualify a repeatable, accurate, linear, and specific bioassay for assessing relative potency.
Related to this article
Novo Nordisk reports positive phase 3 CagriSema data, Biocon’s pertuzumab biosimilar gets a positive CHMP opinion under EMA’s new tailored pathway, and Vironexis reports complete responses with its one-time in vivo therapy for relapsed ALL.
Eron Kelly, CEO of ConcertAI, and Dr. Shaalan Beg, CMO, oncology, ConcertAI, discuss how AI can help physicians access the right information at the right time while supporting clinical trials, research, and quality initiatives.
Made Scientific's new 85,000-sq.-ft. facility, with 145 prior GMP batches, adds clinical- to commercial-scale cell therapy capacity.
Biocon's Pebrilzo, a pertuzumab biosimilar for HER2-positive breast cancer, has become the first monoclonal antibody biosimilar to receive a positive CHMP opinion under EMA's newly adopted tailored clinical approach, which can reduce comparative efficacy trial requirements.
Novo Nordisk reports that CagriSema outperformed tirzepatide with 12.4% weight loss versus 9.1% in a phase 3 trial in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Vironexis Biotherapeutics reported that the first three antibody-naive patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with its one-time in vivo immunotherapy VNX-101 all achieved MRD-negative complete responses, with durability tracked through at least nine months.
New data show risk-based and centralized monitoring shifts effort across roles, sites, and timelines, reshaping how sponsors plan CRA capacity needs.