High-throughput Na_V1.9 assay to advance pain drug discovery

Boost screening efficiency for pain targets with high-throughput Na_V1.9 assays

Generate reproducible, decision-ready data for hit identification, hit-to-lead optimisation and translational studies using Metrion's validated human and rat Na_V1.9 assays. These robust stably expressing Na_V1.9 cell lines (human and rat) have been validated on the QPatch 48 and Qube 384 electrophysiology platforms enable:

• Stable expression ensures consistent and reproducible results: Stable expression of Na_V1.9 (human and rat) means assays are more reliable, supporting high-quality screening and dependable pharmacological data.
• High-throughput, cost-efficient screening campaigns: Critical for early-stage drug discovery.

• Expand your pain drug discovery opportunities: Our validated Na_V1.9 assays make this challenging but clinically relevant target accessible for screening.
• Improved translational relevance: Having both human and rat cell lines allows for cross-species pharmacology studies, improving translational relevance and supporting regulatory submissions down the line.

Faster, smarter, cost-effective Na_V1.9 screening that will unlock ROI

With over a decade of electrophysiology expertise, the Na_V1.9 assay, alongside Metrion’s unique combination of ion channel expertise, bespoke assays and pain research services, enables researchers to overcome traditional limitations of Na_V1.9 screening, to generate reproducible and decision-ready data.

The business case is clear for organisations looking to rapidly meet project milestones and unlock ROI in pain drug discovery:

• Shorter timelines: High-quality screening assays accelerate project milestones.
• Lower costs: Reliable screening data to robustly support medicinal chemistry.
• Cost-effective outsourcing: Rapid, expert data interpretation ensures confident advancement of promising compounds.
• High confidence in Na_V1.9 screening cascade (Figure 1):
  • Identify high quality hits
  • Accelerate hit-to-lead discovery
  • Investigate mechanism of action via translational assays

Figure 1. Example of Metrion's Na_V1.9 screening cascade.

Apply Metrion’s expertise to your Na_V1.9 research

Development of a high-throughput automated electrophysiology assay for human Na_V1.9 inhibitor screening

Alex Haworth, Senior Scientist at Metrion, introduces a poster demonstrating Metrion's development of a monoclonal CHO cell line expressing hNa_V1.9, validated via manual and automated patch clamp techniques.

Specialist expertise:

• Leadership team with over 100 years’ experience in drug discovery research
• Leading ion channel CRO with deep expertise in neuroscience and pain

Comprehensive solutions:

• High-throughput hit finding using robust human Na_V1.9 cell line
• Rat Na_V1.9 assay for species confirmation
• Assays suitable to support hit-to-lead and lead optimisation
• Complete panel of sodium channels for selectivity profiling including other pain targets such as Na_V1.7 and Na_V1.8
• Large collection of off-target counter screens including CiPA panel for cardiac safety risk assessment
• Access to mechanistic and translational assays using the manual patch clamp technique with rat DRG neurons

Detailed reporting and interpretation of results:

• Comprehensive data analysis
• Clear interpretation of results
• Tailored insights to inform your next steps

Scientific leadership team pain experts:

Our strength lies in the expertise of our people. Eddy Stevens PhD, CSO and Tony Rush PhD, Director of Neuroscience and Commercial Operations bring over 50 years of combined experience spanning academia, biotechnology, CROs and global pharmaceutical organisations. Meet our scientific leadership pain experts.

Apply Metrion’s expertise to your Na_V1.9 research

Contact us today to learn how Metrion’s cutting-edge pain research services can help you achieve your research goals: