Standardized Protocol for Resazurin-Based Viability Assays on A549 Cell Line for Improving Cytotoxicity Data Reliability.

The A549 cell line has become a cornerstone in biomedical research, particularly in cancer studies and serves as a critical tool in cytotoxicity studies and drug screening where it is used to evaluate the impact of pharmaceutical compounds on cellular viability. One of the most widely adopted methods for viability assessment, which is also used in evaluating drug cytotoxicity, is the resazurin-based assay. This assay exploits the ability of living cells to convert resazurin into fluorescent resorufin, providing a reliable indicator of metabolic activity.

Standard Operating Procedure to Optimize Resazurin-Based Viability Assays.

The resazurin assay, also known as the Alamar Blue assay, stands as a cornerstone technique in cell biology, microbiology, and drug development. It assesses the viability of cells through the conversion of resazurin into highly fluorescent resorufin. The resulting fluorescence intensity provides a reliable estimate of viable cell numbers.

Quantification of cells with specific phenotypes I: determination of CD4+ cell count per microliter in reconstituted lyophilized human PBMC prelabeled with anti-CD4 FITC antibody.

A surface-labeled lyophilized lymphocyte (sLL) preparation has been developed using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells prelabeled with a fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody. The sLL preparation is intended to be used as a reference material for CD4+ cell counting including the development of higher order reference measurement procedures and has been evaluated in the pilot study CCQM-P102. This study was conducted across 16 laboratories from eight countries to assess the ability of participants to quantify the CD4+ cell count of this reference material and to document cross-laboratory variability plus associated measurement uncertainties.

Overcoming the obstacles in the pharma/biotech industry: 2009 update.

The research-based biopharmaceutical industry faced new challenges during 2009, many rooted in the global economic recession, which further complicated a situation that was already characterized by the obstacles traditionally debated in this and other publications: generic competition, patent expirations and accusations of declining innovation. Once again, companies have been forced to seek out new strategies (mergers, acquisitions, licensing deals, offshore clinical testing and more) in order to cut costs and fill the gaps in their R&D pipelines. However, it is conceivable that the existing R&D model has limitations that can no longer be overcome via these traditional strategies and that the time has come for an entirely new model.

The Year's New Drugs & Biologics - 2009.

This annual article presents new drugs and biologics that were launched or approved for the first time during the previous year. In 2009, 51 new medicines and vaccines reached their first markets. Line extensions (new indications, new formulations and new combinations of previously marketed products) accounted for more than 30% of the new products launched in 2009.

Overcoming the obstacles in the pharma/biotech industry: 2008 update.

In the face of patent expirations on blockbuster drugs and declining innovation in the industry, pharma/biotech companies are restructuring their research and development operations and are pursuing an aggressive strategy of acquisitions, licensing deals and research collaborations in an attempt to fill the gaps in their product pipelines.

The year's new drugs & biologics - 2008.

This annual article presents new drugs and biologics that were launched or approved for the first time during the previous year. In 2008, 31 new medicines-this figure includes both drugs and biologics for therapeutic use as well as new diagnostic agents-reached their first markets. Line extensions (new indications, new formulations and new combinations of previously marketed products) accounted for more than one-third of the new medicines launched in 2008.