Simulations Plus Extends Collaboration with Major Toxicology Research Agency
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Insights
Understanding the safety margins for chemicals is paramount in both environmental and public health contexts. The collaboration between Simulations Plus and NIEHS leverages computational modeling tools like ADMET Predictor® and GastroPlus® to enhance the predictive accuracy of toxicological assessments. These tools facilitate in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE), a critical process for estimating the potential impact of environmental chemicals on human health. IVIVE translates laboratory testing results into predictions of how chemicals might behave in living organisms, including humans.
The use of machine learning (ML) in ADMET Predictor® is significant because it allows for the analysis of large datasets to identify patterns that may not be immediately apparent to researchers. This can lead to more accurate predictions of a chemical's behavior in the body, including its metabolism and potential toxicity. The emphasis on human bioactivation is particularly noteworthy, as it addresses the complex ways in which chemicals can be transformed within the body, potentially leading to harmful effects.
This extended collaboration could have far-reaching implications for the regulation of chemicals and the development of safer consumer products, potentially reducing the need for animal testing while still ensuring human safety. It's a step towards more ethical and scientifically advanced methods of assessing chemical risk.
The extension of the agreement underscores the importance of physiologically based pharmacokinetic/physiologically based biopharmaceutics modeling (PBPK/PBBM) platforms like GastroPlus in assessing the pharmacokinetics of chemicals. PBPK/PBBM models are essential for understanding how a substance is absorbed, distributed, metabolized and excreted in different species, including humans. These models integrate physiological, biochemical and molecular data to simulate the behavior of drugs or chemicals in the body, which is crucial for determining safe exposure levels.
GastroPlus stands out as a versatile tool that can simulate a wide range of administration routes, reflecting its capability to model diverse exposure scenarios that individuals may encounter with environmental chemicals. This versatility is beneficial for regulatory agencies and companies in the chemical industry, as it can inform safer product formulations and support regulatory submissions.
The ongoing partnership between Simulations Plus and NIEHS is likely to enhance the credibility and acceptance of PBPK/PBBM models in regulatory decision-making, potentially leading to more informed and faster regulatory approvals for chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
The use of advanced computational tools in environmental health research represents a significant shift towards more innovative and non-traditional methods of risk assessment. The ability to integrate various types of toxicology data, including mechanistic data and in vivo & in vitro toxicology studies, into a cohesive framework for decision-making is a substantial advancement for the field.
The collaboration between Simulations Plus and NIEHS could lead to the development of more comprehensive environmental health policies and improved public health outcomes. By providing a more accurate estimation of chemical safety margins, these tools can help identify potential public health risks before they become widespread issues. This proactive approach to environmental health has the potential to save lives and reduce healthcare costs by preventing exposure to harmful substances.
Additionally, the focus on new approach methodologies (NAMs) to predict outcomes is indicative of a broader trend in environmental health research towards reducing reliance on animal testing. This not only addresses ethical concerns but also aligns with the growing demand for more human-relevant data in safety assessments.
Research project with NIEHS includes focus on qualification of in silico methods for prioritization, assessment of risk, and identification of safety margins for chemical use
Simulations Plus, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLP) (“Simulations Plus”), a leading provider of modeling and simulation solutions for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemicals, and consumer goods industries, today announced an extension to the formal agreement with the Translational Toxicology Division at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to support the rapid safety assessment of chemicals in animals and humans.
“At NIEHS, we seek to expand scientific knowledge and approach methods linking the environment and human health. The Division of Translational Toxicology (DTT) at NIEHS provides health effects research to federal, state and local health agencies to identify emerging public health issues and support the conduct of formal risk assessments and decision-making,” said Stephen Ferguson, Ph.D., scientific lead for the NIEHS project. “The agreement with Simulations Plus provides computational tools that support investigations of environmental chemicals and their potential health effects.”
Computational model predictions from ADMET Predictor® and GastroPlus® enable in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) that relates biologically-active exposure levels to environmental exposure scenarios. This enables more accurate estimates of chemical safety margins (Sipes et al. 2017. Environ Sci Technol, Sep 19;51(18):10786-10796. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00650) and a framework for integration of various types of toxicology data (e.g., mechanistic data, in vivo & in vitro toxicology studies) for decision-making (e.g., risk assessments, safer product formulation).
“Importantly, these tools are being investigated for their potential to address a critical gap in toxicology research for understanding and modeling human bioactivation of environmental chemicals through xenobiotic metabolism,” Ferguson added.
“It’s critical to understand how chemicals may react in the body, and that can vary depending on whether they are inhaled or absorbed through the skin, whether the person was an adult or child, and if there are other health conditions present,” said Michael Lawless, Sr. Principal Scientist in the Cheminformatics Solutions team at Simulations Plus. “As in vivo testing becomes more and more limited, the application of our software to support new approach methodologies (NAMs) to predict those outcomes becomes more crucial, and we are proud to be working with DTT/NIEHS to support their environmental health and safety research activities.”
GastroPlus is a mechanistically based modeling and simulation software that simulates intravenous, oral, intraoral (oral cavity), pulmonary (respiratory), ocular, dermal (topical and subcutaneous), intramuscular, and intraarticular routes of administration, as well as biopharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, and drug-drug interactions in humans and animals. It is the leading physiologically based pharmacokinetic/physiologically based biopharmaceutics modeling (PBPK/PBBM) platform, built and refined over 25 years on the most up-to-date scientific research.
ADMET Predictor is a machine learning (ML) platform that predicts the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) of new molecules. It incorporates more premium and extensively curated data from pharmaceutical and agrochemical partners than any other cheminformatics platform, which provides enhanced predictive accuracy and wider applicability of its models.
Learn more about GastroPlus and ADMET Predictor.
About Simulations Plus, Inc.
Serving clients worldwide for more than 25 years, Simulations Plus is a leading provider in the biosimulation market providing software and consulting services supporting drug discovery, development, research, and regulatory submissions. We offer solutions that bridge artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning, physiologically based pharmacokinetics, quantitative systems pharmacology/toxicology, and population PK/PD modeling approaches. Our technology is licensed and applied by major pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and regulatory agencies worldwide. For more information, visit our website at www.simulations-plus.com. Follow us on LinkedIn | X | YouTube.
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Forward-Looking Statements
With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words like “believe,” “expect” and “anticipate” mean that these are our best estimates as of this writing, but that there can be no assurances that expected or anticipated results or events will actually take place, so our actual future results could differ significantly from those statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: our ability to maintain our competitive advantages, acceptance of new software and improved versions of our existing software by our customers, the general economics of the pharmaceutical industry, our ability to finance growth, our ability to continue to attract and retain highly qualified technical staff, our ability to identify and close acquisitions on terms favorable to the Company, and a sustainable market. Further information on our risk factors is contained in our quarterly and annual reports and filed with the
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FAQ
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