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Since our founding in 2003 by Dr. James McKim, CeeTox has helped drive advancements in in vitro toxicology. Over the past 6 years, CeeTox has transitioned from a company known primarily for helping pharmaceutical companies answer tough questions around compound selection to a full service provider of in vitro toxicology and safety testing for the pharmaceutical, personal care and chemical industries.
We are grateful to all of the clients we have worked with. Helping you solve your project challenges has helped us push the frontiers of in vitro toxicology forward.
In the past 24 months, we have developed and introduced additional standardized in vitro panels for renal toxicity, hepatobiliary toxicity and endocrine disruption. We have internally validated and introduced dermal irritation, dermal corrosion, phototoxicity, and percutaneous absorption assays. We have added more than 2 dozen individual new assays to our capability list as well. Plus, we are proud to have been named a preferred reference laboratory for Argutus Medical's (formerly Biotrin) novel acute kidney injury biomarker panel as well as specific assays for toxicity of the proximal tubule, distal tubule, collecting duct and loop of Henle.
All that is nice, but we don't plan on slowing down. Our objective is simple: provide our clients world class science, combined with great service, fast turn around times at a fair price.
To our hundreds of current customers, thank you for placing your trust in us to perform to your exacting standards. If we haven't had the chance to work with you, please know we would like to earn a chance to show you what we can do.
Tim Mitchell, President
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New scientific posters presented at the Society of Toxicology, available from CeeTox:
- Culture, Characterization, and In Vitro Toxicity of Arsenic in Mouse Primary Uroepithelial Cells
The purpose of this study was to develop a novel in vitro mouse uroepithelial cell culture to improve cancer risk assessment for arsenic, including use of genomic data for understanding the mode of action and cellular exposures for potential quantitative assessment and innovative dose-response assessment. This cell model may be useful in assessing arsenic toxicity and improving risk assessment models. - An In Vitro Model for Assessing the Effectiveness of Antioxidants in Cosmetics
Oxidative stress in skin has been linked to the development of wrinkles, the aging process and other more serious effects. In vitro cell-based systems that can rapidly and efficiently evaluate whether a new chemical or formulation has antioxidant properties are important in the development of new products for the cosmetic industry. The aim of this study was to induce oxidative stress in normal human epidermal keratinocyte (NHEK) cells and then demonstrate protection in the presence of Trolox (Vitamin E) and test products. When this model was used to evaluate the antioxidant properties of new products, it was possible to demonstrate clear antioxidant properties. - A New In Vitro Method for Identifying Skin Sensitizers and Predicting LLNA EC3 Values
The purpose of this study was to develop a novel in vitro human cell-based model to detect chemicals and finished products that are skin sensitizing agents. In vitro alternatives to animal testing are needed to support REACH and the European Cosmetics Directive initiatives. This study describes the use of human (HaCaT) cells in culture and a 3D human skin model to identify skin sensitizers and predict LLNA EC3 values by utilizing concentration response, exposure time, and expression of genes controlled by the antioxidant response element (ARE). This in vitro system provides a useful tool for identifying sensitizers and predicting LLNA EC3 values without the use of animals.
CeeTox has developed a range of screens that offer alternatives to animal testing in support of REACH and Amendment 7 to the Cosmetics Directive. Contact CeeTox today and learn how we can help you with all your in vitro testing needs:
- Dermal Irritation: A reconstituted human epidermal skin system is used to evaluate compounds. CeeTox follows the OECD draft protocols for irritation.
- Dermal Corrosion: The OECD Test Guideline 431 for either MatTek or SkinEthic is followed in the CeeTox in vitro 3D, reconstructed human epithelial (RHE) skin model which tests for irreversible tissue damage.
- Dermal Sensitization: Validated models include both immortalized human keratinocytes (acceptable solubility) and a human reconstructed 3D skin model (limited solubility). Both models generate an In Vitro Toxicity index (IVTI) and a predicted LLNA value for test articles.
- Phototoxicity: Two models are available to test the dermal effects of compounds when exposed to UVA. For compounds with acceptable solubility, the general parameters provided in the ECVAM-approved INVITTOX SOP are followed. BALB/c 3T3 mouse fibroblast cell line is used as the test system. If solubility is low, a 3D human skin model is used.
- Skin Penetration: CeeTox uses a human 3D skin model (SkinEthic or MatTek) to assess the potential of the test sample to be absorbed through the skin into underlying tissues using the OECD 428 validated method.
- Ocular Irritation: A reconstituted human corneal epithelial model is used to assess irritation. CeeTox is the only US laboratory selected by ECVAM to validate this protocol.
- Ocular Corrosion: Measurement of ocular corrosion is performed using a reconstituted human corneal epithelial model to assess acute toxicity (corrosion).
- In Vitro LD50: CeeTox offers the only commercially available model forpredicting the in vitro LD50 and the OECD category of toxicity without the use of animals.
CeeTox leads the field of in vitro toxicology, with cutting edge models that help you bring safer products to market faster. Our robust, multi-parameter approach meets the needs of the personal care, chemical, and pharma/biotech industries.
in-cosmetics
April 21-13, 2009; The New Munich Trade Fair Centre
Munich, Germany
Each year, in-cosmetics brings together the world’s leading cosmetics suppliers, R&D, production and marketing specialists and showcases the most diverse range of new and innovative cosmetics ingredients and services. CeeTox exhibited here for the first time this year. We were able to meet many new cosmetic suppliers.
NYSCC Suppliers’ Day
May 12-13, 2009; New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center
Raritan Center; Edison, NJ
Look for us in Booth 1231; we will be sharing the booth with SkinEthic
The theme of this year's show is Innovate for a Greener World. This will be your opportunity to discuss the latest innovations with technical, marketing, and business associates from around the world. The NYSCC Suppliers' Day is one of the largest events of its kind in the world! Last year's event drew over 4,000 chemists.
Sustainable Fragrances for Cleaning Products
June 3-5, 2009
Marriott Washington
Washington, DC
James McKim, PhD, DABT, CSO and Founder, will present a special session at the Sustainable Fragrances for Cleaning Products Conference 2009 at 10:40am on Friday, June 5.
Dr. McKim will discuss the science behind determining allergic response and sensitization to fragrance. He developed CeeTox's novel in vitro screen SenCeeTox that tests for the potential to cause skin sensitization without the use of animals, demonstrating a high correlation to LLNA EC3 values, the current validated method.
The conference will address the most salient issues facing this market, including definitions of “green” and “sustainable” that are meaningful for all constituent industries, and the creation of a list of criteria for “green” fragrances developed by the EPA's DfE (Design for the Environment) program and RIFM, the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials.
Don't miss this conference for presentations by industry experts on recent innovations, current research, plus the latest developments in “green” marketing.
WC7 World Congress
Sept. 1-3; Cavalieri Hotel
Rome, Italy
The World Congresses on Alternatives & Animal Use in the Life Sciences are the longest running series of international scientific conferences dedicated to the replacement, reduction, and refinement (3Rs) of animal use in research and safety testing. These conferences have been held every 2-3 years since 1993 and have attracted a large international group of stakeholders and leading experts in the development and use of methods that replace, reduce, and/or refine (3Rs) animal-based laboratory methods.
As Congress Co-chairs, Herman Koëter and Thomas Hartung point out in their welcome message, "2009 is marked not only by the 50th anniversary of Russell & Burch’s definition of the 3Rs, but also by the European deadline for phasing out animal testing for cosmetics, and the start of the REACH chemical test program.”
The following presentations were given earlier this spring.
Society of Toxicology/ToxExpo
March 15-19
Baltimore, MD
SOT's Annual Meeting is the forum to showcase toxicology's novel discoveries. CeeTox CSO and Founder, James M. McKim PhD, DABT presented a break-out conference session entitled A Novel In Vitro Method to Assess Skin Sensitization. Attendance was standing-room only.
Cosmeceuticals Summit
March 9-11
Orlando, Florida
Dr. James McKim co-chaired a full-day seminar on Utilizing In Vitro Data to Support REACH and the Cosmetics Directive for Safety Assessment on March 9. This seminar kicked off the Cosmeceuticals Summit 2009. He discussed how to use in vitro data to identify risk and evaluate efficacy with human reconstructed tissue models, and detailed CeeTox's panel of screens that assess corrosion, irritation, sensitization, genotoxicity, and phototoxicity.
On March 11, Dr. McKim presented a session on CeeTox's new in vitro approach for determining skin sensitization that predicts LLNA EC3 values.
The Research Triangle Park Drug Metabolism Discussion Group
March 4th, 2009
Research Triangle Park, NC
The focus of the 2009 Winter Symposium held on March 4 was “The Future of Toxicity Testing: How Can In Vitro Testing Speed Evaluation of Environmental Chemicals and New Drug Candidates?” Dr. James McKim was member of the panel of speakers, presenting In Vitro Toxicity Applied to Drug Discovery.
The purpose of this organization is to encourage and enhance interactions among its professional members by providing a forum for learning and discussion of timely topics in the scientific discipline generally known as "drug metabolism." RTP DMDG holds meetings four times per year featuring world-renowned speakers in the field of drug metabolism. Meetings are typically attended by ~100 scientists representing ~15 local academic, governmental, and industrial organizations.
We look forward to publishing these newsletters on a quarterly basis. Your feedback is welcome. What would you like to hear about in upcoming issues? Contact us at info@ceetox.com or 269.353.5555.
