As part of Apath’s commitment to global leadership in the sublicensing of HCV-related technologies and Southern Research’s expertise in providing quality services in preclinical drug development, the two companies have expanded their contract services agreement to assist their clients in the fight against HCV. Under the agreement, Southern Research conducts laboratory testing, research, and/or screening of potential therapeutic agents for HCV on an exclusive, fee-for-service basis using Apath’s HCV virus-based technology, HCVcc.

Most preclinical drug screenings for new HCV therapies use cell lines that harbor replicons—intracellular sub-genomic, self-replicating RNA molecules that contain the nucleotide sequences required for RNA replication, transcription, and translation, but are not themselves infectious. Using a virus-based system, researchers can now develop antiviral treatments targeting viral entry into the cell, all of the replication machinery of the replicon, as well as downstream events such as viral assembly and release from the cell. As such, the entire viral life cycle is available for drug discovery and development.

Southern Research conducts both contract research and basic research for clients, providing preclinical drug discovery, development and clinical trial support services in cancer, infectious diseases, and CNS/neurological disease to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Scientists conduct translational science to invent small molecules and advance them from the design stage to the clinic. Services available include medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry, high-throughput screening and a full set of in-house GLP development services including toxicology, ADME/PK, animal models, formulations, and bioanalytical services.

Southern Research Institute (SRI)

For additional information please contact:

Michael G. Murray, Ph.D. Director Infectious Disease Research Drug Development Division

Southern Research Institute 431 Aviation Way Frederick, Maryland 21701

Office: 301 694-3232 ext.103

Email: Murray@southernresearch.org