Roche xCELLigence system used in new drug analysis technology

Roche Applied Science's xCELLigence RTCA System is to be used in collaboratively-developed new technology designed to evaluate the safety of developmental drugs.

Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) is partnering with ACEA Biosciences, co-developer of the Roche device, to create the xCELLigence RTCA Cardio System.

It will combine CDI's induced pluripotent stem cell-derived iCell Cardiomyocytes heart cells with xCELLigence technology to allow for the prediction and analysis of potential cardiotoxic side effects in the drug discovery process.

Evaluations of the new system have already been completed and external beta testing has now commenced among a number of pharmaceutical and academic bodies, ahead of a planned commercial launch.

Ruedi Stoffel, life cycle leader for cellular analysis at Roche Applied Science, said: "The xCELLigence RTCA Cardio System adds a new cutting-edge product line to our non-invasive cell-based assays providing physiological relevant data."

Last month, Roche announced that it has agreed a deal to acquire digital pathology laboratory solutions specialist BioImagene, allowing it to broaden its presence in the tissue-based cancer diagnostics and research sector.