PRECOS Unveils Innovative Range of Platforms for Drug Discovery and Biomarker Oncology Studies at AACR Annual Meeting 2012

NOTTINGHAM, UK (26 March 2012) – Preclinical Oncology Services Limited (PRECOS), a leading pre-clinical research and development service provider with a specific focus on oncology, is to launch its series of unique platforms for pre-clinical oncology at the AACR Annual Meeting (Chicago, March 31^st – April 4^th 2012, booth #4306). From target validation, through in vitro and in vivo to histological services, the company’s validated platforms are used extensively in collaboration with prominent pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to offer enhanced research productivity for specific targets.

 At the show PRECOS will highlight the following key platforms:

• PREval Platform for Target Validation – a comprehensive service using cutting-edge molecular biology tools for validating the effect of specific genes via knockdown or activation/amplification both in vitro and in vivo. PRECOS provides a customised approach for each target.

• PREpare Platform for PK and PD - a variety of in vitro, in vivo and in silica services to determine the correct closing regimen for a project. This platform provides pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics insights into a therapeutic agent. In order for any potential drug to show the desired effect in vivo, it is necessary to determine potency at the target and to ensure sufficient exposure is achieved.

• PREcise Platform for In Vitro and In Vivo screening - a full repertoire of over 150 cancer cell lines matched with a comprehensive range of cellular assays available to run in 2-D assays, 3-D TGA (tumour growth assays), recapitulation of 3-D models with cancer-associated fibroblasts or mesenchymal stem cells. PRECOS has extensive experience in combination studies both in vitro and in vivo, orthotopic and metastatic models as well as simple subcutaneous xenograft models.

• PREdict Platform for Target Discovery - unique primary tissue panels of patient-derived in vitro and in vivo models, characterised, validated and ready to run in studies.

“PRECOS provides an expert range of research services for pre-clinical oncology, validated through its established track record with its leading clients. Our panels are designed to help our clients address their key needs and challenges by providing cutting-edge clinically relevant models that are ready to run in both in vitro and in vivo,” said Dr Neil Rotherham, chairman of the PRECOS board. “We have an established track record in providing expert support to direct cancer drug development projects and our new platforms are applicable from concept to clinic. We will be launching our first output from the platforms which will be announced at AACR 2012, visit booth #4306 to learn more.”

PRECOS offers innovative science, expert advice and accurate, reproducible models to advance research and support compound development projects. For further information please call +44 (0)870 166 6234, e-mail enquires@precos.co.uk or visit www.precos.co.uk.

About PRECOS Ltd

PRECOS Ltd. is a flexible pre-clinical research and development service with a specific focus on oncology, with an established track record in providing expert support to direct cancer drug development projects from concept to clinic. PRECOS evaluates the innovative cancer medicines of the future in patient-relevant models to ensure that pre-clinical efficacy assessment is predictive of how the drug is likely to behave in clinical trials with cancer patients. The PRECOS team of expert scientists assist in the selection and execution of appropriate analytical systems by a staged approach of in vitro studies, in vivo model development, subsequent in vivo mechanistic and therapeutic evaluations and post-study analyses, all conveyed with added value through specialist scientific interpretation of the data. PRECOS scientists apply cutting-edge technology and ideas to individual research programmes and delivers a flexible, tailored approach to all research objectives, whether a one-off service or a complete research programme.

 PRECOS, an acronym of Pre-Clinical Oncology Services, was officially launched as a specialist business unit of the University of Nottingham (UK) in 2004. PRECOS evolved from the research expertise of the Division of Pre-clinical Oncology (formerly Academic Unit of Studies), which had successful collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotech companies in the UK, EU, US and Japan for over a decade. For further information: www.precos.co.uk

 For further press information please contact: Sarah Evans - The Scott Partnership, 1 Whiteside, Station Road, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, CW4 8AA, United Kingdom. Tel: + 44 1477 539 539 Fax: +44 1477 539 540 E-mail: precos@scottpr.com