MD Biosciences Blog

The porcine sciatica model can evaluate efficacy and PK/PD from the same subject and may provide more clinically relevant data at preclinical stages minimizing expensive failures.

MD Biosciences has developed a large animal model of neuropathic pain for preclinical evaluation of analgesic or neuroprotective therapies. The sciatica model was developed in the pig, as the innervation is similar to that of humans, providing more clinically relevant data at the preclinical stages. The model is suitable for evaluating both efficacy and PK/PD in the same animal and can be used for systemic, local and cell therapies as well as slow release drugs and devices.

Creating injury directly on the sciatic nerve by either nerve crush or nerve cutting induces neuropathic pain and minimizes the inflammatory component. The nerve crush method produces a less pronounced pain as well as a quicker recovery for the subjects. For therapies that are thought to be neuroprotective or promote nerve regeneration, partial nerve damage using the nerve crush method will allow direct treatment to the nerve. Using either method, subjects are completely recovered by 7 days post surgery and can be evaluated for pain up to 21 days. In addition to sensitivity to pain and pain sensation, subjects avoid using the ipsilateral leg suggesting a responsiveness to weight bearing and sustained pain.

Readouts:

• Von Frey
• Cold allodynia
• Pin prick
• Weight bearing
• Histology

Figure: Subjects underwent either nerve crush or nerve cut methods. Subjects were tested for sensitivity to Von Frey pre- and post-treatment with 1 mg/kg morphine. Data is reported using Von Frey method and shows the 50% threshold in grams (g). 

The porcine sciatica model of neuropathic pain is just one of many large preclinical models offered by MD Biosciences. With the high failure rate at clinical trial phases, more relevant preclinical models are needed to assess candidates at earlier stages. The pig is an ideal model system due to its human similarities in innervations, skin and the cardiovascular system. Other porcine models offered by MD Biosciences include post-operative pain, myocardial infarct, diabetes and diabetic neuropathy.

About MD Biosciences

MD Biosciences is a Preclinical and Clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing services for biotech/pharmaceutical, medical device and animal health. Our core therapeutic focus is in inflammation/autoimmune, neurology/CNS disorders, pain and cardiovascular as well as the interplay between the inflammatory, neurology and cardiovascular systems. Our approach is to work backwards from the clinic, understanding what the clinicians would expect from an active compound. This approach and understanding enables the development of models and biomarkers that help break the preclinical/clinical barrier and provide more clinically relevant data at earlier stages.

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The information in this press release should be considered accurate only as of the date of the release. MDB has no intention of updating and specifically disclaims any duty to update the information in these press releases.

MD Biosciences, a preclinical CRO focused in pain and inflammations, has released a new eBook discussing the interactions between the nervous and immune systems and the drug targets that may lie in the overlap. This newly published eBook is meant to be a review of the immune system and inflammation as it relates to pain, specifically neuropathic pain and covers the following: 

•     Immune system and Inflammation
•     Pain processing and Neuropathic Pain
•     Cell types involved in neuro-inflammation aspect of neuropathic pain
•     Potential inflammation-related drug targets for neuropathic pain
•     Relevant preclinical models for neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain presents a wide variety of challenges to researchers, not the least of which is the simple fact that neuropathic pain, by definition, requires neuronal damage, which in turn automatically initiates an immune response that often inflicts further damage.

The interactions between the immune and nervous systems in the case of neuropathic pain make for a very complex story that is only beginning to unfold. Fortunately, a variety of good preclinical neuropathic pain models for the simulation of neuropathic pain in humans have been used for some time and enable researchers to advance our understanding of disease mechanisms in the preclinical setting. Currently, existing pharmacological treatments for neuropathic pain, which address predominately neuronal targets, include opioid analgesics, tricyclic antidepressants and cation channel blockers among others. However these drugs treat symptoms and thus only provide temporary relief and are fraught with undesirable side effects such as tolerance and dependence. As the field of neuroimmunology progresses, it is possible that inflammation-associated drug targets may open to new and more effective treatments for neuropathic pain.

About MD Biosciences 
MD Biosciences is a Preclinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing services biotech/pharmaceutical, medical device and animal health and companies engaged in inflammations, neurology, pain and cardiovascular research. Our scientists are specialized and focused within these areas to provide a deep understanding of mechanisms involved, which enables them to contribute to study design and recommendations. We understand the challenges of filling and progressing product pipelines with limited budgets, time and resources. We also understand the importance of choosing a preclinical CRO that is the right fit with your organization. You’ll find that when working with MD Biosciences, we are focused on the science behind your programs to enable smarter and more efficient study designs aimed to meet your objectives.

The information in this press release should be considered accurate only as of the date of the release. MD Biosciences has no intention of updating and specifically disclaims any duty to update the information in these press releases. The eBook is meant to be an overview and should not be taken as comprehensive or definitive.

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MD Biosciences, a global biotechnology company focused in inflammations and neurology research, is expanding its line of arthritis and pain preclinical services with the addition of the CFA-induced monoarthritic pain model. The model offers advantages over traditional arthritis models in that disease develops in only one joint allowing a comparison to the healthy joint. The quantification of pain associated with arthritis can be useful in elucidating the mechanisms of arthritis as well as evaluating the efficacy of anti-arthritic drug compounds in the discovery phase.

The monoarthritic pain model is a 28-day model with arthritis and subsequent pain present in a single joint. Pain response develops 1 day post-induction. Readouts available are clinical signs and scoring, body weights, mechanical and thermal stimuli, weight bearing, histology and cytokine analysis.

In addition to the monoarthritic pain model, MD Biosciences offers the traditional Adjuvant-induced arthritis model that allows for traditional pain measurements as well as a record of spontaneous pain using the Foot Print of Pain method. Other Arthritis models and research reagents include the Collagen Induced Arthritis (CIA) and Collagen Antibody Induced Arthritis (CAIA), ArthritoMab™ Arthritogenic Antibody Cocktail, Collagen Reagents, Collagen Antibodies and Collagen-related ELISA Kits and Assays.

About MD Biosciences
MD Biosciences provides products and pre-clinical services for companies engaged in inflammations and neurology research. The company is headquartered in Switzerland and has specialized laboratories located in the United States, United Kingdom, and Israel. A panel of scientific experts provides companies’ in-depth expertise and technologies to tackle problems and provide flexible drug discovery solutions, enabling smarter results faster.

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The information in this press release should be considered accurate only as of the date of the release. MD Biosciences has no intention of updating and specifically disclaims any duty to update the information in these press releases.