Custom Development Capabilities

Cell-based assays are valuable tools employed throughout the drug discovery and development phases and into commercial release and stability testing. Implementing cell-based assays for in-house custom assay development can be challenging, from establishing physiological relevancy to method qualification, validation, post-implementation, and support. Phase-appropriate assays, in particular, can be technically challenging, expensive, and resource-intensive, delaying moving programs forward to the clinic.

Eurofins DiscoverX® offers the industry’s most extensive off-the-shelf menu of cell-based assays that can be implemented for your programs. Several customized solutions can be delivered for program-specific needs by utilizing our deep expertise in cell line engineering, assay development, and protein production. Some of these solutions include varying targets in different cell backgrounds, unique mechanisms of action (MOA), producing active recombinant proteins (GPCRs, ion channels, transporters, kinases, phosphatases, epigenetic proteins), creating ready-to-use bioassays qualified with your clinical molecule, and more.

Gain from our experience leveraged over 20 years of custom development expertise and a vast history of generating thousands of customized assays for drug discovery programs at multiple companies globally through screening, lead optimization, and bioanalytical assay development.

Product Highlights

  • Development Expertise – Decades of cell line engineering & cell-based assay & recombinant proteins development expertise including enzymes and membrane proteins
  • Cell Line Engineering Capability – Exogenous expression approaches or gene editing
  • Collaborative – Consultative product development with regular updates through a dedicated project manager
  • Complete Solution – Customized assay development with screening and profiling services within the same team

Key Custom Development Capabilities

  • Cell line engineering through exogenous expression (constitutive vs inducible) approaches, gene editing (e.g. KO/KI with CRISPR/Cas9), or retroviral or lentiviral transduction
  • Bioassay development and International Council for Harmonisation (ICH)-based method qualification
  • Screening (high and ultra-high throughput), characterization, profiling, Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies, and comparability studies
  • Membrane preparation development and production
  • Analytical Master Cell Bank (MCB) (critical reagents; bioassay cells) 2-tiered production
  • Bioassay method transfer to QC testing sites
  • Dedicated large lot or multiple lots production of ready-to-use cryopreserved cells
  • Protein development and production, including recombinant enzymes (active, inactive, unactive) and multi-subunit proteins

Custom Assay Development Project Workflow

Phase 1:
Project Definition
Phase 2:
Project Execution
Phase 3:
Material Delivery
  • In-Depth Consultation
    Define project goals and scope
  • Extensive Research
    Investigate and evaluate project feasibility
  • Deliverable
    Detailed work plan with timelines, project deliverables, and pricing
  • Cell Line Engineering
    Stable cell line development, functional testing, and stability testing
  • Assay Development
    Method optimization, detailed protocols
  • Screening and Profiling
    Test client’s molecules with catalog or custom assay
  • Deliverables
    Bi-weekly status updates and detailed milestone reports
  • Deliverables
    Assay format as per work plan with detailed protocol
    • Validated stable cell line
    • Qualified ready-to-use bioassay
    • Membrane preparations
    Study Reports
    • Bioassay ICH qualification
    • Comparability studies
  • Additional Options
    • Large lot production
    • Master Cell Bank
    • Method transfer to testing site

A Streamlined Approach for Customized Cell Line Generation

Eurofins DiscoverX utilizes a vast array of cell line engineering technologies, e.g. vectors and viral transduction methodologies, to deliver program-specific assay design requirements. Cell lines can be engineered with unique cell backgrounds (different from the existing catalog products) and native receptors, natural variants or mutant receptors, or various non-human species (orthologs). Assays can be designed to enable a functional readout as proximal or distal to the target receptor using Enzyme Fragment Complementation (EFC) or non-EFC technologies.

EDRX-CustomCapabilities_StreamlinedApproach-CustomizedCellLineGeneration

Assay Platforms Supported by Core Proprietary Technologies

Physiologically relevant assays can be designed using the EFC platform (summarized below) or other non-EFC technologies. These robust, reproducible assays are easily implemented in screening, characterizations, investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies, profiling, and other applications.

PathHunter® Cell-Based Assay Platform has been successfully employed to develop validated assays for over 700 targets spanning most druggable target classes, including GPCRs, kinases, checkpoint modulators, cytokine receptors, nuclear proteins, and more. Innovative applications of this core technology have enabled the development of robust, reliable, and high-throughput-friendly chemiluminescent assays to measure protein-protein interaction, protein translocation, secretion, degradation, receptor dimerization, cytotoxicity, and more.

HitHunter® Biochemical Assay Platform is a validated platform for quantifying second messenger signaling for cAMP and cGMP. This platform is ideal for identifying unique ligand pharmacologies (agonist, antagonist, allosteric, partial agonists, and inverse agonists), developing novel assays (e.g. cleavage assays to test protease and substrate activity), monitoring Gi and Gs GPCRs, discovering PDE inhibitors, and more. HitHunter assays are formatted as competitive immunoassays with gain-of-signal for precise, sensitive analyte detection without separation or wash steps, providing improved sensitivity and precision compared to conventional immunoassays.

KILR® Cytotoxicity Assay Platform is a simple, non-radioactive, and dye-free method to specifically measure target cell death in a co-culture with effector cells. Designed to quantitatively measure direct cell death mediated by target-specific antibodies, complement, immune effector cells, and more, this cell-based assay platform has broad applications for immuno-oncology drug development from screening to QC lot release testing. The assays can detect cancer cell death through various mechanisms of action such as ADCC, CDC, ADCP, ADC, CTL mediated death, bi-specific antibody mediated T-cell redirection, CAR-T, and adoptive T-cell therapies.

InCELL Compound-Target Engagement (TE) Platform includes InCELL Pulse and InCELL Hunter assays to determine compound cell entry and quantitatively measure compound binding to an intracellular protein of interest in the native cellular environment. This universal and powerful development platform is broadly applicable to several target classes (e.g., kinases, epigenetic proteins, and more) and bridges between in vitro binding assays and cellular functional or phenotypic assays. Both platforms allow for evaluating compound cell membrane penetration and target engagement for intractable targets, even where other technologies have been unsuccessful.

SPRINTer Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) Platform utilizes biosensors to quantify endogenous protein turnover in disease-relevant cell models induced by targeted degrader molecules such as PROTACs and molecular glues. SPRINTer assays can detect and quantify changes in endogenous protein levels with higher sensitivity and more rapid kinetics than phenotypic endpoint assays (e.g. cell proliferation). In drug discovery and development, these assays can identify and rapidly screen therapeutics targeting endogenous proteins and perform potency ranking of small molecule degraders.

Bioassay Development and Implementation

An ideal potency bioassay should mimic a given therapeutic molecule’s MOA while producing highly precise, accurate, and reproducible data as per International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines under a quality-controlled environment compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). Most assays developed during early development or characterization phases require significant re-optimization or extensive development into phase-appropriate formats before these can be implemented for routine QC batch release/validation testing, resulting in significant delays for the drug program.

Eurofins DiscoverX offers the largest menu of ready-to-use qualified bioassays in a complete kit format. However, for several programs, an optimized bioassay may not be available in our catalog or be qualified with your specific clinical molecule. Our custom assay development team will work closely with you to understand and address the requirements to deliver the best fit-for-purpose solution for your program, from implementation for potency testing in QC lot release to long-term support for the life of your biologic therapeutic.

Bioassay Development and Implementation Workflow: A Holistic Approach Supporting Biologics Programs

Assay Development >Bioassay Qualification >Transfer to Testing Sites (CDMO/CROs) >Bioassay Production >Long-term Critical Reagents Management >
Generate MOA-based cell line
Functional response established for cell pools
Performance stability confirmed > 50 passages
Complex matrix (serum) tolerance
Generate ready-to-use assay format
Qualified under ICH guidelines
Accuracy, specificity, repeatability, intermediate precision, dilutional linearity, and robustness
Stability-indicating
Reproducibility (intra- and inter-lot)
Streamlined method transfer
Development of dataset
On-site training (class and lab)
Validation study support
Certified CDMOs/CROs
Post-implementation support
Global support teams
Multiple production lots for initial lot-to-lot validation
Dedicated, large lot production
Pre-defined shipment date or manufacture on-demand
Bioassay cells
Dedicated well-characterized analytical cell banks for client’s program
Supply agreements
Technology transfer agreements

Assay Development

Based on an agreed work plan, the Eurofins DiscoverX development team members, with their extensive and deep expertise, designs the assay based on the desired MOA and target biology. Stable cell pools are established, and the functional performance of the selected clone is confirmed with the reference standard or the clinical molecule of choice. The cell line is confirmed over 50 passages to ensure long-term assay reproducibility and converted to the ready-to-use cryopreserved bioassay format. The bioassay is tested to ensure tolerance to complex matrix, delivering the flexibility to develop the cell-based assay for detecting neutralizing antibodies.

Bioassay Qualification

The ready-to-use bioassays are developed and optimized following systematic qualification studies to meet regulatory expectations for potency testing. These qualification studies are designed to evaluate the critical quality attributes (CQA) for a bioassay, as defined by the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines that include accuracy, precision, linearity, range, specificity, and robustness, for implementation for potency testing in QC lot release. Bioassay requirements are defined during project discussions to establish specifications for these attributes, including relative potency range, number of analysts, and more. The bioassay is also evaluated for stability-indicating properties. The study report is provided for review and approval to generate a pilot lot for in-house bioassay testing. Optionally, the study data can be delivered in an ICH study report format. The bioassay is delivered as a complete kit with a simple, detailed protocol, optimized reagents, and assay plates, enabling fast and easy implementation in a QC environment.

Method Transfer

The qualified bioassay is transferred for implementation to your partner testing sites, including Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations or Contract Research Organizations (CDMO/CROs) through an established streamlined method transfer process. The transfer is initiated via discussion between Eurofins DiscoverX and the receiving site(s) to present the development data, followed by classroom and lab training. Once the assay team at the testing site has successfully run the method with your clinical molecule per the provided protocol, your team will review the data for approval. Once the method has been successfully transferred, Eurofins DiscoverX remains available for any technical support during the validation study as well as post-commercialization.

As your program expands and enters additional markets requiring you to release the biologic drug at new sites, our team ensures the seamless method transfer to each of your new testing sites. To further support the global implementation for biologics programs, we are continually certifying CRO/CDMOs through our Bioassay Certification Program on the use of our platforms, delivering you the confidence in selecting and working with your outsourcing partners.

Bioassay Production

As part of bioassay validation at the testing site for QC lot release, the study may require multiple lots of the bioassay cells, which are considered as critical reagents. Once implemented as the potency release assay, sample size for testing as well as stability testing is used to determine the volume of the bioassay cell vials required. This usage determines the production lot size that can be delivered on a pre-determined shipment date or triggered on-demand. Our flexible and agile manufacturing operations can meet the requirements of up to 1,000 vials per lot and multiple lots of the bioassay.

Long-Term Support

Biologic therapeutics, originator or biosimilar drugs, deliver innovative care to patients and remain in use for decades. This necessitates consistent batches released using robust bioassays and implementing a critical reagents management program that ensures long-term assay reproducibility and supply assurance of critical reagents such as the cryopreserved bioassay cells. Eurofins DiscoverX has implemented programs to support your critical reagents management programs. The Cell Banks for Bioassays Program focuses on the generation and storage of analytical master cell banks. These dedicated, well-characterized 2-tiered cell banks ensure long-term assay reproducibility and supply of the bioassay cells as well as removing the need for lot-to-lot bridging for each production lot. Additionally, Eurofins DiscoverX offers long-term supply and technology transfer agreements. Contact a custom assay development specialist for further information.

Accelerate Your Drug Discovery Project with Custom Recombinant Proteins Tailored to Your Program’s Needs

When an off-the-shelf protein is not available or when your research depends on a specialized or challenging protein, Eurofins DiscoverX’s Custom Protein Development team can fulfill your needs. Let us help you generate active enzymes and complex proteins, including kinases, phosphatase, epigenetic proteins, ubiquitins, and many others. With over 25 years of protein and enzyme development experiences, our dedicated team of experts from the original Millipore/ Upstate kinase enzyme development team will deliver high-quality enzymes per the specification required to meet your research goals. Whether your program requires developing the protein from scratch or customizing (e.g. large-scale production) a protein from our catalog, Eurofins DiscoverX will work closely with you to deliver a cost-effective solution to fulfill your requirements.

Quality Assurance

Quality is our focus when developing proteins to ensure the highest purity, specific activity (for enzymes), and lot-to-lot consistency. A detailed certification of analysis indicating batch-specific product performance in terms of purity and catalytic activity will be provided. During product development, our QC validation goes beyond specific activity determination, routinely including Km substrate and Km ATP determinations in addition to Z’ studies and inhibitor response assays.

Custom Protein Development and Production Process

PROJECT DEFINITION & EXECUTION >CLONING & EXPRESSION >PRODUCTION & DELIVERABLES
In-depth consultation determining project goals & scope
Extensive research & feasibility evaluation
Providing detailed work plan with timelines, deliverables, & pricing
Preparation of materials & execution of project
Process development
Design & generation of full length expression constructs
Performing of site-specific mutations if needed
DNA sequence validation
Expression systems determination (insect, bacterial, or mammalian)
Scale-up production
Purification & analysis (SDS-PAGE, Western blot, TSA (thermal shift assay), analytical SEC (size exclusion chromatography), mass spectrometry, & enzyme assay)
Delivery of high-quality protein & results report
Optional screening, profiling, & assay development

Videos Custom Development Capabilities

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Ready-to-use kits for biologics characterization, MOA confirmation, NAbs detection, stability studies, & potency testing

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Over 500 high-quality & purified recombinant kinases, phosphatases, & epigenetic & ubiquitin proteins

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Program designed to qualify CRO/CDMOs to run Eurofins DiscoverX bioassays for client downstream therapeutic efforts

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Stable cell lines, cell pools, frozen cells, & primary effector cells for a broad range of target classes

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