about VRI
Vivozon Research
Institute
Selected as an ‘Excellent Enterprise Research Institute’ by the Ministry of Science and ICT in the first half of 2021
Vivozon invested more than KRW 5 billion in R&D resources and equipment from 2017 to 2019, and continues to invest more than 60% of its total budget in R&D. In 2019, R&D expenditure accounted for 86%. In the first half of 2021, it was selected as the ‘Excellent Enterprise Research Institute’ hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT. It consists of 6 laboratories including pharmaceutical chemistry, electrophysiology, drug efficacy evaluation, animal pharmacology, ADME, and formulation research.
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
The Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department is a central hub to derive compounds for the development of new drugs with the ultimate goal of cultivating candidate substances that can move forward with non-clinical development. Vivozon is searching for compounds that can be applied to two or more multi-targets in its pharmaceutical chemistry lab. First, we research potential target substance related to a disease, gather known compound information through patents and prior literature to design a compound, and then synthesize the actual compound. To date, more than 5,000 compounds have been created in the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Lab.
Electrophysiology
Electrophysiology is the understanding of electrical signals in the body and analysis of these phenomena. The Electrophysiology Lab explores and confirms a potential mechanisms of action of a new drug candidate. Using equipment such as a patch-clamp, initial screening of candidate substances is performed thoroughly on the basis of their actions on various ion channels, including hERG. This step plays a key role in improving time and cost efficiency by minimizing the failure rate of new drug candidates.
Key words Ex-vivo Efficacy Test / Synaptic activity recordings / Cardio safety test / Ca 2+ imaging
Drug Efficacy Evaluation
This is the department that studies the drug efficacy and active mechanisms of new drug candidates. The Drug Efficacy Evaluation Lab studies the drug efficacy and mechanisms of action of new drug candidates. Its main role in the discovery phase of drug development is to select a candidate substance that exhibits the expected activity by testing a number of synthesized compounds in a cell line overexpressing the target molecule. Using automated equipment, Vivozon Drug Efficacy Evaluation Lab has improved the speed and reliability of the screening phase. In addition, we uncover a potential mechanism of action upon cultivation of a lead substance and evaluate its multifaceted profile as a candidate drug by assessing advantages over competing substances and feasibility of expansion of indications.
Key words In-vitro Efficacy Test / MoA study / High Throughput screening system
Animal Pharmacology
The Animal Pharmacology Lab evaluates pharmacological efficacy in vivo. Non-clinical efficacy of new drug candidates is determined by implementing rigorous scientific protocols including a double-blind test and providing reliable results in in vivo efficacy studies in animals. Further, the toxicology evaluation of new drug candidates is performed to assess their potential to move forward with in-depth preclinical and clinical investigations.
Key words In vivo phenotype screening / Toxicology / Cognition behavior test / Motor function test
ADME
ADME stands for Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion. Vivozon ADME elucidates the pharmacokinetic changes that occur as drugs travels through the body with changes in environmental conditions and time. In vitro and in vivo ADME assays are performed using HPLC/MSMS (high-resolution liquid mass spectrometer). These ADME studies are utilized for screening of new drug candidates in the early stage of development and for in-depth evaluation that enables marketing approval.
Key words Pharmacokinetics / CYP inhibition / DDI / Simulation / Metabolite analysis
Formulation Research
In the Formulation Research Lab, new candidate substances with proven efficacy and safety are advanced to allow for the development of finished drugs. The formulation and drug delivery system are evaluated and optimized on the basis of the proposed mechanism of action of each new drug candidate. For global marketing approval and release of finished drugs with proven efficacy and safety, overall development processes (composition, manufacturing methods and processes, packaging) of finished drugs, intellectual property protection, and technology transfer for drug production are also carried out.
Key words Formulation / Improve physical properties of drugs / DDS(Drug Delivery system) / High-performance Stability study
