Research laboratory services

Tender description

Cardiff University are ranked second nationally for the impact of their research and are among the top five universities in the UK for research excellence. Cardiff University has a thriving and innovative research culture, with research that has real impact and makes a positive difference to the world. As part of this, the University is translating fundamental discoveries in disease processes to develop new medicines to meet unmet clinical needs. Cardiff University is looking for companies with an innovative outlook and recognised expertise in supporting drug-discovery projects from early screening (electrophysiology and in vitro DMPK) to delivering de-risked novel molecules to clinical trials. Successful companies will be committed to the principles of the NC3Rs and will add value to our work by providing high-quality data for informing the drug-discovery pipeline. We require providers for electrophysiology services relevant to neuroscience drug development. Currently we require validated ion channel assays for GABAA and NMDA modulators, on an automated electrophysiology platform, with QC and report generation. In the near future, it is likely we will require a range of other ion channel assays, as well as manual patch clamp services. We may also want to purchase ion channel expressing cell lines (under a MTA). We require providers for in-vivo assays, most usually with oral administration. We currently require reliable assays for pro-cognitive and anxiolytic effects. In the future, we may require assays to demonstrate other drug modulated effects, such as, but not limited to, an anti-depressive effect. We require providers of in-vitro drug metabolism (ADME-Tox) services as part of our drug development pipeline. This includes, but is not limited to, measures of metabolism, permeability and transporters, physicochemical properties, protein binding and toxicology. We require providers of in-vivo drug metabolism (ADME-Tox) services as part of our drug development pipeline.