Xention Introduces Metrion Biosciences

Xention Limited the Cambridge-based biopharmaceutical company specialising in the development of new drugs for atrial fibrillation, announced today the launch of Metrion Biosciences, a contract screening business focused on providing comprehensive and high quality ion channel services to the pharma and biotech industry. 

Photograph of Dr Marc Rogers, VP Research. 

The Metrion Biosciences team, led by Dr Marc Rogers, VP Research, has extensive experience of ion channel research, having brought five new Xention ion channel drug candidates to the clinic, conducted multiple research collaborations with international pharma businesses, and completed several UK and European grant projects. Dr Rogers is assisted by experienced ion channel Principal Scientists Dr Kathy Sutton and Dr Rob Kirby. 

Metrion Biosciences intends to launch a new panel of in vitro cardiac ion channel and human cardiomyocyte assays for better detection of cardiac safety risks in new drugs, and will work towards full accreditation of its panel under the FDA’s new Comprehensive In Vitro Proarrhythmia Assay initiative (CIPA). In addition, Metrion will market its panel of neurological ion channel assays for pharmaceutical companies to profile and de-risk new drug candidates.