Icagen has partnered with German chemicals and healthcare company Bayer to develop new X-ray fluorescence assays by leveraging the XRpro platform.

The assays are being designed to aid Bayer in multiple early discovery programmes in the area of transporter targets.

Reportedly, existing methods do not provide the high-throughput screening platform required to validate transporters as targets and identify molecules that target transporters.

The XRpro technology leverages X-ray fluorescence method to facilitate high-throughput assessment of electrogenic and non-electrogenic transporters and is suitable for certain classes of inorganic transporters.

Icagen's chief scientific officer Dr Doug Krafte said: "Icagen looks forward to collaborating with Bayer on this ground-breaking project.

"XRpro represents a unique application of X-ray fluorescence technology and has the potential to unlock new drug discovery efforts for previously untouched molecular targets."

"XRpro represents a unique application of X-ray fluorescence technology and has the potential to unlock new drug discovery efforts for previously untouched molecular targets."

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The label-free technology utilises the X-ray fluorescence capabilities for high-throughput analysis of plasma membrane ion channels, and transporters such as non-electrogenic symporters, and antiporters.

In cell populations without dyes, fluorophores, and radiolabels, XRpro directly quantifies ion flux, as well as enables assays in complex buffers and media, including 100% serum.

The technology also allows simultaneous measurement of biological elements with an atomic number of 16 (sulfur) or greater, monovalent ions, divalent ions, transition metals, halogens, and tracer ions.

Icagen works as a target-to-lead (T2L) firm and collaborates with pharmaceutical and biotech companies for multi-year, integrated drug discovery programmes.


Image: Douglas Krafte. Photo: courtesy of PRNewsFoto/Icagen.