Released on: October 8, 2008, 9:36 am

Press Release Author: Shamain Dang / Trevigen, Inc.

Industry: Biotech

Press Release Summary: Trevigen introduces a highly sensitive, quantitative and
validated assay to measure the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors in cell and tissue
lysates for anticancer drug screening.


Press Release Body: Pharmacodynamic (PD) assays have recently been developed and
employed early in the drug development process to assess the ability of potential
drug candidates to hit their molecular target(s). These assays have the advantages
of allowing molecular "proof of concept" investigations at an early stage
development such as phase 0 trials. These assays also provide the opportunity to
prospectively identify patients likely to respond in clinical trials.

In cancer drug development, a current molecular target of high interest is
poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1). The metabolism initiated by PARP-1 is
fundamentally related to the recovery or death of cancer cells. PARP inhibitors are
of particular interest in that they are very well tolerated but are selectively
toxic to cancer cells deficient in homologous recombination (HR), which includes
BRCA1/2 deficient breast cancer cells genetically defective in HR. Until now, the
effectiveness of PARP inhibitors in cells and tissues have been difficult to assess.
Trevigen solves this problem with the release of the Pharmacodynamic PAR ELISA
Assay, which measures the in vivo end product of the PARP reaction called
poly(ADP-ribose) or PAR. This high throughput, chemiluminescent assay kit has been
validated on human peripheral blood lymphocytes and has also been shown to work with
normal and tumor tissue. Using highly characterized antibodies in a sandwich ELISA
format, the kit detects PAR down to 5 pg per ml. By determining PAR levels in vivo
prior to and following administration of PARP inhibitors, the assay is ideal for
determining the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors in many formats including in
patients in clinical trials.

Trevigen, Inc. is a rapidly growing biotechnology company focused on the development
of products and technology for cancer research, emphasizing apoptosis, DNA damage
and repair, and cancer cell function and behavior. Trevigen has been a
long-standing provider of quality reagents and kits for researchers investigating
programmed cell death and DNA damage and repair. A logical extension of the focus
on cancer research has been the recent development of assays for cancer cell
function and behavior including angiogenesis, cell invasion and tumor formation.
Currently, the product portfolio contains over 500 products categorized into four
processes - Apoptosis, DNA Damage and Repair, Angiogenesis, and Oxidative Stress.

Related Products from Trevigen include PARP and PARG assay kits, PARP enzymes and
PARP antibodies. Visit www.trevigen.com or contact us at 1-800-873-8443 or
info@trevigen.com for more information.


Web Site: http://www.trevigen.com

Contact Details: Trevigen, Inc.
8405 Helgerman Court
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
1-800-873-8443
info@trevigen.com
www.trevigen.com