Modern ADME assays performed with SPR biosensors

ADME assays (Adsorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination) become more and more important even in the earlier phases of the drug development process. BIA technology provides a very valuable tool for a cost-effective in vitro characterisation of potential drug candidates in early ADME studies, although there are currently no methods available for accurately predicting what will really happen to a drug in vivo. SPR biosensor technology has already been applied for analysing the binding of potential drug candidates to serum proteins, for analysing the adsorption of small molecules to artificial membranes immobilised on sensor chips and for measuring the influence of compounds on metabolic pathways.

The pharmacokinetic properties of small molecule drugs are a function of the reversible binding to serum proteins such as serum albumin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein or gamma globulins, reducing the bioavailibility of the drug. Biaffin offers a BIA assay for analysing the binding of small molecule compounds to serum protein surfaces (HSA, MSA, BSA, AGP) yielding valuable information about affinitiy, solubility and binding stoichiometry of potential drug candidates. A pricelist for the performance of such assays is available and can be inquired.

The figure above shows the binding of the analgetic Naproxen in a concentration range between 0.8 and 200 µM to human serum albumine (HSA) immobilized on a biosensor surface.

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