Reaction Biology, a service provider for drug profiling, screening and early-stage drug discovery collaborations, and Germany-based 4HF Biotec GmbH, a company that specialises in bioinformatics and cancer data analytics for the discovery of innovative therapies, have launched a new cell-based service offering, it was reported on Monday.

The new service integrates Reaction Biology's ProLiFiler cell assay service with 4HF's Biomarker Analysis and MOA Finder tools. 4HF Biotech has built a comprehensive database including data from more than 1,800 preclinical samples comprising multiple cancer datasets that are integrated into a single platform for visualisation and statistical analysis. The data relevant for the Biomarker Analysis Tool are mutations (whole-exome sequencing), gene copy numbers, and gene expression data. The MoA Finder tool aims to identify the mode of action (MoA) of the test compound by comparing the sensitivity profile of the drug candidate to that of known drugs.

Dr Haiching Ma, chief science officer of Reaction Biology, said, 'This will give our customers deep insight into the likely genetic response to the drug candidates they test with us. A cell profile study can shine a spotlight on what a compound is doing, but combining that with 4HF's bioinformatics creates a roadmap for our customers' further development.'