As the annual Safety Pharmacology Society (SPS) meeting approaches, the focus on safety pharmacology intensifies across the pharmaceutical industry. At Attentive Science, we understand the critical importance of efficiency and timing in this field. Our unique position as a smaller, agile CRO allows us to offer distinct advantages that can accelerate your safety pharmacology studies whether you're focused on Cardiovascular (CV), Respiratory, or Central Nervous system (CNS) assessments.

Our whole preclinical industry (including safety pharmacology) has been accelerating towards Artificial Intelligence (AI). Our CEO, Alfred Botchway presented on “Will AI replace your role in Nonclinical Safety Assessment” to a group of scientists at the 2023 NorCal Fall Symposium and carefully noted that “AI will augment preclinical safety assessments, and our roles as safety pharmacologists and toxicologists will be to provide oversight on study designs and the interpretation of AI predictions”. Since then, there has been further advancements in our understanding of AI which is revolutionizing drug discovery by accelerating the identification and development of new treatments.

In addition to In Vitro/In Vivo CV, and CNS/Respiratory sessions, the forthcoming SPS annual meeting will include sessions that dive further into AI to enhance data analysis, streamline target identification, predict the efficacy and safety of test substances, as well as to reduce time and cost of drug development. Safety/Hazard identification using SAR, QSAR etc. have been around for decades, and now AI is here to assist with big data processing, reasoning, learning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. Dr. Alfred Botchway said, “Safety Pharmacologists continue to play a crucial role in making informed decisions.”

One of the most significant challenges in safety pharmacology is the ability to commence studies without delay. Attentive Scientist pride ourselves on our ability to start studies quickly, often with limited lead time. This agility means that your projects don’t get stuck in a queue; they move forward swiftly, allowing you to keep pace with the demands of your research timeline.

For safety pharmacology studies, careful selection of dose levels is crucial, as the range should not exceed doses that cause mild to moderate toxicity after acute administration, ideally covering and exceeding the therapeutic range. Excessive toxicity can obscure the subtle endpoints of safety pharmacology, complicating data interpretation. Additionally, a controlled study environment is essential, which includes limiting the number of test systems compared to toxicology studies and minimizing external disturbances, such as noise and movement in the lab.

Timing is everything in drug development, and the sooner you have the data, the sooner you can make informed decisions. Our streamlined processes and dedicated team ensure that once your study is underway, data generation is expedited. Accelerated data delivery allows you to quickly analyze results, address questions, and adapt your research strategy with greater efficiency and flexibility.

In addition to speed, we offer something that larger CROs often cannot, responsiveness. Being smaller allows for more personal attention, which translates to well-planned and tailored studies that meet regulatory requirements without unnecessary delays. We understand that every study is unique and may require adjustments or additional insights along the way. Our dedicated team is here to ensure your study runs smoothly from start to finish, with the level of attention and care that your research deserves.

As the spotlight turns to safety pharmacology this September, remember that timing, efficiency, and responsiveness can make all the difference in your drug development journey. Attentive Science is committed to providing these advantages, helping you accelerate your studies and achieve your research goals. Contact us to learn how our quick study starts, rapid data generation, and attentive service can give you the edge you need in today’s competitive landscape.