TetraQ, the integrated preclinical contract research provider based at The University of Queensland (UQ), has attained Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) recognition for its toxicology services after satisfying rigorous internationally-benchmarked criteria.
The additional accreditation from the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for another of its key laboratories means that as well as GLP bioanalytical services, TetraQ can provide local and international clients with GLP compliant toxicology services including genotoxicity, dose range-finding, acute and repeat-dose studies.
TetraQ's Executive Director, Professor Maree Smith, said the GLP accreditation for its toxicology and ADME laboratories had now positioned TetraQ as the leading integrated preclinical service provider to the Australian biopharmaceutical industry.
“TetraQ's decision to offer toxicology services, including toxicokinetics, allows us to leverage our strong track record in fully-validated bioanalytical method development and sample analysis,” Professor Smith said.
“We are delighted to be able to offer our clients in Australia and overseas an extended, internationally accredited service delivery which includes acute and chronic toxicology services,” said Professor Smith.
These toxicology services include cytotoxicity assays, genotoxicity assays - bacterial mutation (Ames) tests; mouse lymphoma assay; mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus testing; dose range finding; safety pharmacology (cardiovascular, central nervous and respiratory systems); off-target screening; and hERG binding assays.
TetraQ has state-of-the-art facilities and equipment which meet stringent quality and testing standards to conduct toxicology studies that can be recognized by international regulatory authorities.
“GLP recognition is required for regulatory submissions on later-stage toxicology studies, and because we have designed our early-stage services to generate data that will provide valuable input into the planning of more expensive and extensive GLP regulatory studies, we can offer clients a stream-lined suite of screening services. We can also interpret and provide advice on toxicology reports our clients have received from other contract research organisations,” Professor Smith said.
TetraQ was established in 2005 as the first contract research organisation in Australia to provide integrated preclinical services to the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. It is the commercial arm of the Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development at UQ and a registered business of UniQuest Pty Ltd, the main commercialisation company of The University of Queensland.