PHARMACOKINETICS (PK)

Agilex PK Services

Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the study of what the body does to a drug during a clinical study and refers to the time course of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of the drug. Understanding the PK profile of a drug is crucial for evaluating its safety and determining the most appropriate dosage and administration route for effectiveness as a treatment.

PHARMACOKINETICS

At Agilex Biolabs our scientists have decades worth of experience in PK assays across all drug modalities (small molecule drugs, large molecule drugs, peptides, oligonucleotides, prodrugs, lipid nanoparticles and endogenous compounds), matrix types and therapeutic indications in order to assist our clients in bringing their novel therapies to market. Our Pharmacokinetics services include:

  • LC-MS/MS Bioanalysis
  • Ligand-Binding Assays (LBA)/ Immunoassays
  • Cellular and Molecular Assays (PCR, Flow cytometry)
PHARMACOKINETICS

LC-MS/MS Bioanalysis

Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is a powerful bioanalytical technique that uses liquid chromatography coupled with highly sensitive and selective mass analysis to separate out analytes of interest to enable absolute quantification of the analyte in matrix. Agilex offers State-of-the-Art bioanalysis to support the PK analysis of novel chemical entities (NCEs), sugars, nucleotides, enantiomers, steroids, prodrugs, immunosuppressants, nanoparticles, neurotransmitters, peptides and proteins by LC-MS/MS.

Our dedicated LC-MS/MS team have extensive experience in transferring, developing and validating complex bioanalytical methods across a range of matrices, including plasma, urine, faeces, cerebrospinal fluid, rare and unique matrices (including ocular tissues) in human samples to support PK analysis and across multiple species to support toxicokinetic (TK) analyses for preclinical studies.

Scientific Expertise

With over 100 years of combined experience in LCMS, Agilex Biolab’s extensive scientific expertise, experience and rigor ensure that you get the right bioanalytical method, validated fit for purpose for the phase of the clinical study. Our scientists are experts in overcoming bioanalytical challenges from new chemical entities and biological entities, including assessing custom stabilization requirements and known metabolite analysis for your study.

Fast Data Turnaround

With a 3-day turnaround time for single ascending dose (SAD) and 4-day turnaround time for multiple ascending dose (MAD) samples as standard, your data will be quality checked (QC checked) and rapidly turned around to enable fast dose escalation and expedite your study.

Experience in analysis of Endogenous Molecules and Biomarkers by LC-MS/MS

Significant experience in developing and validating assays to measure endogenous compounds, eg: Melatonin, Epinephrine, Phenylalanine, LPA 18:2, 4-beta hydroxycholesterol, Angiotensin 1 & 2, Estradiol, Esterone (E1, E2), Progesterone (P4), N-Acetylcysteine.”

Therapeutic Modalities

  • Novel chemical entities (NCEs)
  • Sugars
  • Nucleotides
  • Enantiomers
  • Steroids
  • Prodrugs
  • Immunosuppressants
  • Nanoparticles
  • Neurotransmitters
  • Peptides
  • Proteins
  • Biosimilars
  • Natural products (Cannabinoids and Psychedelics)
  • Biomarkers
PHARMACOKINETICS

Immunoassays (Ligand-Binding Assays)

Molecularly targeted therapies are the foundation of precision medicine and are the focus of many exciting drug developments. Many therapeutic indications for chemical and biological therapeutics involve interactions of a ligand, chemical drug, protein or antibody with its target. Ligand binding immunoassays harness this power and typically use target, antibodies (commercially available or anti-idiotype) or drug product to build a sandwich immunoassay for quantitation of the analyte of interest.

At Agilex Biolabs, our Scientists have extensive experience in a broad range of ligand binding assays, employing various formats and chemistries, including Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), Electrochemiluminescent immunoassays (ECLIA), and the Gyrolab automated assay platform.

Scientific Expertise

With over 1000 years of combined experience in Ligand Binding Assays, our  Immunoassay Scientists have extensive scientific expertise and experience across multiple assay types, chemistries and platforms (ELISA, MSD, Gyros) to develop and validate custom immunoassays. This ensures you receive the right Bioanalytical assay, with the most appropriate dynamic range, validated fit for purpose for the phase of the clinical study. Our Scientists are experts in overcoming Bioanalytical challenges from biological entities, including assessing matrix effects from diseased state matrices to ensure that the assay is robust for your clinical study.

Fast Data Turnaround

Depending on the assay format, quality controlled (QC checked) data from immunoassays can typically be turned around in as little as 4 days to enable fast dose escalation and expedite your study.

Experience in Large Global Multi-Centre Studies

Extensive experience in the development of anti-drug antibody assays, with formats tailored to meet the specific requirements of each study. This includes the design of highly drug-tolerant assays, consideration of drug modality (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, siRNA, fusion proteins, peptides), availability of reagents, presence of pre-existing antibodies, and the intended use of the resulting data.

Our assays routinely incorporate advanced extraction techniques – such as ACE, SPEAD, PandA, BEAD, or combinations thereof – the ensure they are fit for purpose.

  • Monoclonal Antibodies
  • Bispecific Antibodies
  • Trispecific Antibodies
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Recombinant proteins
  • Peptides
  • Fusion proteins
  • Nanobodies
  • Biosimilars
  • Biomarkers
  • ADC

Biosimilars

As the number of biologic medicines going off-patent increases, biosimilar medicines, the similar copies of licensed biologic medical products, are increasing.

Biosimilars promise to be cost-effective alternatives for healthcare practitioners, organizations, and patients alike by providing affordable versions of already-marketed biologics. For biosimilar approval by regulatory authorities, comparison testing against the reference innovator product is required.

At Agilex Biolabs, we have experience in developing and validating a range of biosimilars that are targeted to various disease indications and successfully testing these against both US and EU-derived innovator compounds in clinical studies.

PHARMACOKINETICS

Cellular and Molecular Assays

New drug modalities such as cell therapies (CAR-T and CAR-NK), gene therapies and cellular/RNA modulator therapies typically utilize polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays (real-time PCR, droplet digital PCR, reverse transcriptase PCR) or Flow Cytometry assays in order to deliver the PK data to support clinical studies.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Assays (qPCR, qRT-PCR, droplet digital PCR)

PCR assays are widely used in cell and gene therapy programs to amplify short oligonucleotide sequences present within a sample. Agilex supports multiple different chemistries (either hydrolysis probe TaqMan chemistry or intercalating dye such as SYBR Green) to enable analysis of your drug or oligonucleotide sequence of interest. We have multiple platforms ranging from conventional PCR to droplet digital PCR to enable single copy number quantification of sequence variants. Our Scientists have experience in supporting PK studies of RNA-based therapeutics, Biodistribution and viral shedding assays for virology or oncolytic virus projects, Gene expression analyses and mutational detection for Ct DNA studies.

Scientific Expertise

Agilex has established a partnership throughout USA and APAC, making it easy for our clients to not have to choose between price, quality, and timelines. With this collaboration, our sponsors can fulfill the global requirement for two species for standard toxicology testing as stated in the international conference for hominization guidelines.

Fast Data Turnaround

Depending on the assay format, quality controlled (QC checked) data can typically be turned around in as little as 5 days to enable fast dose escalation and expedite your study.

Dedicated PCR clean rooms

We have a dedicated PCR suite with clean rooms and separate workflows to ensure sample integrity and a streamlined workflow.

Assays Supported

  • Pharmacokinetic Assays
  • Biodistribution Assays
  • Viral Shedding assays
  • Gene expression analysis
  • Mutational detection and Ct DNA analysis
  • Biomarker assays

World class technology