Launch of new eCiphrNeuro service

Cyprotex to launch eCiphrNeuro,

a new service to evaluate neuronal activity

18 July, 2013 - Cyprotex PLC (AIM:CRX), a specialist ADME-Tox Contract Research Organisation, today extends its eCiphr range with the launch of a new service, eCiphrNeuro, using microelectrode array (MEA) technology to monitor the electrical activity of neurons and assess potential neurotoxic or neuro-efficacious effects of new drug candidates.

Neurotoxicity continues to be a significant toxicological reason for drug attrition. eCiphrNeuro provides an early stage solution for identifying potentially adverse effects of new chemicals on neuronal integrity and function. The service utilises the Maestro MEA system from Axion Biosystems ("Axion"), which has proven to be a robust, high-throughput platform to test for drug effects on clinically-relevant neuronal and cardiac electrophysiological features.

eCiphrNeuro complements Cyprotex's existing CellCiphr® Premier and eCiphrCardio assays, which are used to screen compounds for potential drug-induced hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity, respectively.

Dr. Anthony Baxter, the Chief Executive Officer of Cyprotex, said: "Cyprotex continues to lead the way in novel in vitro approaches to address drug-induced toxicities. eCiphrNeuro complements our comprehensive portfolio of assays developed to resolve potential toxicity concerns early in the drug development process. Although the primary purpose of developing this service was to identify potential neurotoxicity of compounds, the assay can also be applied to efficacy testing for CNS-related projects."

Tom O'Brien, President and Chief Executive Officer of Axion, added: "With the introduction of eCiphrNeuro, Cyprotex is the first company to offer a neurotoxicity assay using our high throughput microelectrode array (MEA) platform. Given the MEA's proven capability for monitoring in vitro networks, this assay provides scientists with an unparalleled opportunity to rapidly screen compounds for their functional effects on complex neural systems. We look forward to working with the Cyprotex team as they continue to expand their portfolio of cellular electrophysiology assays utilising Axion's Maestro MEA system."

To find out more about this service, visit: http://www.cyprotex.com/toxicology/neurotoxicity/eciphrneuro/ 

For further information:

Notes to Editors

About Cyprotex PLC

Cyprotex is based in Macclesfield, near Manchester in the UK, and Watertown, MA in the US and is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (CRX). The company was established in 1999 and works with more than 700 partners ranging from small biotechs to large pharma companies. Cyprotex acquired Apredica and the assets of Cellumen Inc. in August 2010 and the combined business provides support for a wide range of experimental and computational ADME-Tox and PK services, extending from early drug discovery through to IND submission. The company's core capabilities include high quality in vitro ADME screening services, mechanistic toxicology and high content toxicology screening services and predictive modelling using PBPK and QSAR techniques. For more information, see www.cyprotex.com.

About Axion BioSystems, Inc.

Axion BioSystems, Inc. is a life science instrumentation company that develops high-throughput microelectrode array (MEA) systems for in vitro network electrophysiology, allowing researchers to model neural activity and cardiac beating. As a result, toxicity and efficacy can be assessed earlier in the drug development process with greater sensitivity and accuracy. For more information, see www.axionbiosystems.com.

Further information on eCiphrNeuro

eCiphrNeuro is an in vitro assay used to screen compounds to detect potential effects on neuronal function. The assay has been validated with primary neurons, which are analysed on Axion BioSystem's Maestro MEA system. The MEA Maestro system has proven to be a robust, high-throughput system to test for drug effects on a number of clinically-relevant neuronal electrophysiological features.