ALCEDIAG has developed EDITOX, a catalogue of cell tests to mimic the impact of drugs on RNA editing in patients, primarily designed for the preclinical phases of drug development.

With EDITOX, ALCEDIAG performs a series of in vitro tests to study RNA editing modifications of various targets under different conditions (dosages, short and long term administration, etc.). As a following step, ALCEDIAG studies how RNA editing and its kinetics have been impacted in different scenarios. The objective of EDITOX is to provide additional data and a deeper understanding of the mechanism of action of a drug candidate and how this drug impacts RNA editing. 

Moreover, the company proposes a proprietary cell test and process to anticipate and, as the case may be, prevent the adverse psychiatric side effects of drugs, such as depression and suicidal behavior. Using a dedicated cell line and proprietary biomarkers, ALCEDIAG has discovered a biological signature for drugs at risk of inducing adverse psychiatric side effects in patients. More than 300 molecules have been tested so far and the test performance shows high specificity and sensitivity. Results are provided in the form of a risk assessment: “Low risk”, “Undefined risk” or “High risk”.

ALCEDIAG also proposes a service based on the analysis of RNA editing molecular interactions to reverse adverse side effects induced by the drug. The objective is to maintain drug curative possibilities while eliminating the risks of adverse psychiatric side effects. This service is aimed at pharmaceutical companies who are willing to “save” a molecule with exceptional curative potential. It optimizes the overall development costs, by preventing the discontinuation of research on drug candidates.

Thanks to EDITOX, ALCEDIAG aims first to complement and then to replace tests for adverse psychiatric side effects which are currently performed on rodents. Beyond the many ethical issues that surround it, animal testing has proved over the years to be of limited efficiency: several molecules which had previously successfully passed tests on rodents, have been later removed from the market after waves of depression or even suicidal behaviour among the patients treated.