Session Chairs:
Tom Kost, GlaxoSmithKline, USA
Lorenz Mayr, Novartis Pharma AG, Switzerland
The timely development, production and supply of high quality protein and cell-based reagents for HTS and compound profiling assays present a continual challenge within drug-discovery programs in both Pharma and Biotech. In addition to validating that a large number of diverse reagents possess the desired biological properties, one often needs to consider biosafety, stability, delivery, storage and tracking requirements. These requirements take on increased importance in the framework of the dramatic increase in the number of screening assays being performed in automated facilities that may be carried out by different groups in geographically distinct locations. Furthermore, recent trends in industry towards targets with less target validation and detailed knowledge about target production, demand continual enhancements of reagent production technologies. Attendees will learn of current approaches and future challenges of keeping pace with the supply of biologically relevant proteins, membranes, viruses and cells required to conduct productive drug-discovery programs.