OREANDA-NEWS. Cyprotex PLC, a specialist Contract Research Organisation (CRO), announced today the launch of a new in vitro 3D cellular model for evaluating potential cardiotoxicity. The new model uses human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived cardiomyocytes which beat spontaneously in a similar manner to a human heart.

Cardiac hypertrophy is the increase in size and mass of heart muscle. It can be a consequence of many factors including physiological diseases such as high blood pressure or heart valve damage. However, drug-induced cardiac hypertrophy is also a major issue which is often not identified during preclinical pharmaceutical testing. The new 3D model developed by Cyprotex can detect time-dependent hypertrophy following repeat dosing of known cardiotoxins. It has the advantage that it can be tested over prolonged periods, better representing patient dosing regimens. As well as hypertrophy, sophisticated high content imaging techniques are used to monitor a number of other endpoints related to structural damage in the heart.

Dr Anthony Baxter, Cyprotex's Chief Executive Officer, comments: "Cyprotex have specialist expertise in the field of 3D cellular models. These models are proving valuable in preclinical testing due to their longevity and their physiological relevance to tissues in the body. Further development of our 3D technology is a major focus in our R&D efforts and will enable us to achieve our goal of improving the prediction of human drug-induced toxicity using advanced in vitro models."