Exploring Pharmacology Innovations: Viva Biotech's Comprehensive DMPK Solutions

In the rapidly evolving landscape of drug discovery, understanding Drug Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (PKPD) has become increasingly essential. As therapeutic modalities expand, the need for comprehensive pharmacological platforms to support diverse drug discovery efforts is more pressing than ever.

Viva Biotech has positioned itself at the forefront of this evolution with its innovative integrated pharmacology platform. This system is designed to support a full spectrum of programs spanning from in vitro ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion) assays to in vivo pharmacokinetic and efficacy studies. One of the highlights of their recent webinar, titled "Adventures in DMPK from Small Molecules and PROTACs to Peptides and Antibodies," presented by Dr. Justin Cui, showcased the expansive capabilities of this versatile platform.

A Comprehensive Approach to Pharmacology

Dr. Cui outlined how small molecules, PROTACs (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras), and peptides commonly share underlying ADME/PK principles. This includes essential physicochemical profiling, metabolic stability assessment using various biological systems—such as microsomes and hepatocytes—permeability and transport studies, and drug-drug interaction risk evaluations. The focus is not merely on a set checklist but rather on a dynamic decision framework that can handle high program volumes efficiently. Using exposure metrics like AUC (Area Under the Curve) and half-life, the platform allows for early screening of compounds, enabling developers to prioritize or de-prioritize candidates based on predefined internal criteria.

In addition to small molecules, the platform incorporates detailed strategies for peptide programs, allowing cross-species PK design with multiple administration routes (subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular). Furthermore, it provides comprehensive metabolite profiling across various biological matrices such as plasma, urine, and tissues. The WinNonlin-based analysis method is consistently applied across all modalities, facilitating direct comparisons of PK behaviors between peptides and small-molecule candidates.

Innovations in Antibody Programming

Building on the strong ADME/PK foundation, Viva Biotech has also applied specific strategies tailored to antibody programs. FcRn (neonatal Fc receptor) biology plays a pivotal role in determining pharmacokinetic outcomes for antibodies. One of the innovative solutions presented was the engineered hFcRn/B2M–MDCK Transwell system, designed to assess antibody transcytosis. This in vitro setup provides vital insights through time- and dose-dependent measurements of transport that can correlate strongly with clinical antibody half-life data, thereby enhancing early candidate assessments prior to in vivo testing.

The Power of Mechanistic Bioassays

The webinar further illustrated the importance of integrating DMPK decisions with mechanistic bioassays to enhance actionable insights. Viva Biotech's extensive immunology in vitro portfolio facilitates immune cell activation and differentiation assessments through advanced multi-color flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine analyses, and reporter assays. In vivo tumor efficacy evaluations utilize both syngeneic and CDX models, with considerable ex vivo analyses for assessing tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte functions, pharmacodynamics, and pathology evaluations.

Combining these methodologies enables a well-rounded evaluation of drug exposure, target engagement, and pharmacological effects within relevant disease contexts, ultimately leading to better-informed decisions in drug development.

A Decade of Experience

Viva Biotech has cultivated over a decade of early drug discovery expertise, enhancing its DMPK, pharmacology, and efficacy capabilities through continual facility expansions and deeper integration of antibody pharmacokinetics with studies focused on oncology, autoimmune disorders, metabolic diseases, and other therapeutic areas. According to Dr. Cui, the company has successfully established an all-encompassing DMPK platform that accommodates diverse drug modalities, functioning as a one-stop service model that aligns structure-based discovery with ADME, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, toxicology, and IND (Investigational New Drug) filing. This integrated approach supports more informed, data-driven development decisions throughout the preclinical stage.

To learn more about Viva Biotech's innovative pharmacology and DMPK services, please explore their website: Viva Biotech DMPK.