To achieve this goal the companies will combine Affymetrix’s GeneChip microarray technology with Iconix’s DrugMatrix 640 compound reference database and analysis software.
Using such tools, researchers will be able to quickly compare gene expression profiles to the Iconix’ drug signatures library to help predict the impact that gene expression changes may have on biological pathways critical to the body’s toxic response to drugs.
This information could help scientists to better prioritize candidates and make preclinical development decisions faster than ever before.
Dr John Blume, vice president of RNA Products at Affymetrix expressed his enthusiasm for the project, going as far as to say that the outcomes of the collaboration could help to “revolutionize the drug discovery and development process.”
“By combining our gold-standard GeneChip microarray technology with Iconix’ toxicology expertise, we believe we can accelerate research and improve the quality of drug candidates,” said Dr Blume.