Media Release
Basel, 8 May 2006
New Genetic Research Method Sheds Light on Drug Metabolism
In findings published this week in Nature Biotechnology (Vol 24, No 5, 2006), Roche scientists present a new method for analyzing the metabolism of a commonly prescribed drug. The use of this mouse genetic analysis method may lead to a better understanding of how drugs are metabolized, which could facilitate more effective individualization of drug selection and dosing regimens in humans.
This research utilized a computational method for mouse genetic analysis to identify factors that regulate the metabolism of warfarin, a widely used anticoagulant. The scientists discovered that this computational method can quickly identify genetic variants within drug metabolizing enzymes that contribute to different drug responses in mice and provides valuable information about genes that are likely to play a role in human drug metabolism. Therefore, the methodology could be applied to a wide range of medications and help Roche, as well as others, better understand drug metabolism, and subsequently drug toxicity.
“This research and the computational method will help scientists and clinicians better understand the drugs they are developing, as well as the diseases they target,” stated Gary Peltz, M.D., Ph.D., head of Genetics and Genomics at Roche in Palo Alto, California. “It can also be used to identify genetic susceptibility factors affecting drug-induced toxicity.” While the research is at an early stage, Peltz notes, that the next step is to analyze other drugs of clinical importance, including one that induces liver toxicity.
According to the authors, pharmacogenomic data can influence drug development and clinical practice. They note that use of pharmacogenomic information has the potential to increase drug efficacy, reduce side effects and improve treatment outcomes for patients. Therefore, it is essential that scientists develop effective strategies to identify genetic factors affecting the metabolism or response to current and future therapies.
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a supplier of innovative products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people’s health and quality of life. Roche is a world leader in diagnostics, the leading supplier of medicines for cancer and transplantation and a market leader in virology. In 2005 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totalled 27.3 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 8.2 billion Swiss francs. Roche employs roughly 70,000 people in 150 countries and has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai. Additional information about the Roche Group is available on the Internet (www.roche.com or www.rocheusa.com).
New Genetic Research Method Sheds Light on Drug Metabolism
In findings published this week in Nature Biotechnology (Vol 24, No 5, 2006), Roche scientists present a new method for analyzing the metabolism of a commonly prescribed drug. The use of this mouse genetic analysis method may lead to a better understanding of how drugs are metabolized, which could facilitate more effective individualization of drug selection and dosing regimens in humans.
This research utilized a computational method for mouse genetic analysis to identify factors that regulate the metabolism of warfarin, a widely used anticoagulant. The scientists discovered that this computational method can quickly identify genetic variants within drug metabolizing enzymes that contribute to different drug responses in mice and provides valuable information about genes that are likely to play a role in human drug metabolism. Therefore, the methodology could be applied to a wide range of medications and help Roche, as well as others, better understand drug metabolism, and subsequently drug toxicity.
“This research and the computational method will help scientists and clinicians better understand the drugs they are developing, as well as the diseases they target,” stated Gary Peltz, M.D., Ph.D., head of Genetics and Genomics at Roche in Palo Alto, California. “It can also be used to identify genetic susceptibility factors affecting drug-induced toxicity.” While the research is at an early stage, Peltz notes, that the next step is to analyze other drugs of clinical importance, including one that induces liver toxicity.
According to the authors, pharmacogenomic data can influence drug development and clinical practice. They note that use of pharmacogenomic information has the potential to increase drug efficacy, reduce side effects and improve treatment outcomes for patients. Therefore, it is essential that scientists develop effective strategies to identify genetic factors affecting the metabolism or response to current and future therapies.
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a supplier of innovative products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people’s health and quality of life. Roche is a world leader in diagnostics, the leading supplier of medicines for cancer and transplantation and a market leader in virology. In 2005 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totalled 27.3 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 8.2 billion Swiss francs. Roche employs roughly 70,000 people in 150 countries and has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai. Additional information about the Roche Group is available on the Internet (www.roche.com or www.rocheusa.com).
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