Merck Serono endorses benefits of toxicogenomics

Merck Serono has highlighted the importance of toxicogenomics in the detection of toxicity during the drug development process.

Dr Phil Hewitt, head of toxicogenomics at Merck Serono, stated that utilising the practice alongside standard approaches can help to identify toxicity early, as well as providing greater understanding of the biological mechanisms involved.

The comments came as part of a white paper from information solutions provider Ingenuity Systems, which compiled input from various industry experts on how toxicogenomics can enhance predictive toxicology and mechanistic toxicity analysis.

Dr Hewitt said: "Assessing toxicity is not always clear and incorporating another source of information can only complement traditional animal studies."

Earlier this month, Merck Serono granted a licence to the women's health specialist PregLem which allows the latter company to develop one of its jun kinase inhibitor compounds.

It is hoped that this will lead to the development of the first pharmacological product for the treatment of post-operative adhesions and endometriosis.