MediGene's telltale heart

Because target validation is a significant bottleneck in drug development, companies are scrambling to develop or in-license technologies that speed up the process. MediGene AG believes it will do just that with its newly acquired 3-D matrix technology, which the company said could allow researchers to make go/no-go compound development decisions further upstream - prior to entering animal testing.

The technology involves cells grown in a stretchable matrix. The natural contacts between cells are maintained, making the technology similar to in vivo models, while retaining the speed advantages of in vitro models, said company spokesperson Christine Bohner. ...