Retroscreen has developed a model with two principal business units; the first is a Clinical Services business built around human challenge studies and the second is an Analytical Services (pre-clinical) business unit, built around in-house expertise on testing anti-virals and virucidals in vitro.

Service offering
As there are numerous pathogenic viruses for man and they require different in vitro cell culture systems, no single antiviral test can be applied for all viruses. As is the case in all biological assays, the exact concentration of an antiviral required to inhibit the replication of a virus will depend on the infectivity input of the virus, the cell type and the sensitivity of the assay being used.

Over the last 20 years, Retroscreen has invested significantly in the development and optimisation of in vitro antiviral assay techniques to ensure high quality research data is provided to its clients. The antiviral assay systems commonly used in our laboratories to test against the pathogenic human viruses do contain common stages but each is modified to produce optimum sensitivity for the testing of potential anti-viral compounds.

Retroscreen provides expertise on individual viruses, transmission models, vaccine and antiviral approaches prior to viral challenges, in-vitro techniques, and translational studies.

The Company has a dedicated team to conduct in vitro studies focused around three specialisms:

• Clinical trial support. Retroscreen supports major pharmaceutical companies in their Phase 3 immunogenicity studies by screening their study samples in vitro. Retroscreen's external clinical trial support business can support your Phase 3 trial and help you to better understand the human immune response to a drug.
  Retroscreen also undertakes serology, HI assays and laboratory support work associated with first into man and human Challenge Studies.
• Virucidal testing. Retroscreen Virology can test a variety of products for their virucidal (virus destroying) efficacy.
• In-vitro analysis. Our laboratories can test new compounds for efficacy against a wide range of viral diseases. We offer simple EC50 determination as well as bridging models that can be used in support of clinical trial applications to national regulatory authorities in Europe, the USA and Japan.

Approach

Retroscreen has three dedicated adjacent laboratories for the conduct of pre-clinical work. The team also has permanent research scientists and associates to undertake analytical work.