Pharmaceutical companies invest millions in developing new drugs, yet around half of all drug candidates never make it to market due to adverse effects on the human heart. The most common issue is arrhythmia—an abnormal heart rhythm—which can sometimes be fatal. As a result, pharmaceutical regulators require stringent testing standards and clinical trials before any new drug is released. Even with these precautions, many drugs are later withdrawn due to previously undetected side effects.

Innovative Computer Models for Drug Testing

Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed computer models that simulate the effects of pharmacological compounds on the electrophysiology of heart cells. These models help flag potential issues early, allowing unsuitable candidates to be eliminated early in the drug development process. In 2014, the researchers turned to System C for help in transforming their ‘Virtual Assay’ research software into a commercial product for the pharmaceutical industry.

Enhanced Accessibility for Pharmaceutical Companies

“The original software used C++ code and Matlab to process large amounts of data. It worked well for academic purposes but needed to be more visual and user-friendly to appeal to pharmaceutical companies,” explains Robert Pym, a team leader in our Innovation Delivery Team. “It became clear that what was needed was a corporate application and something that could still function as an academic tool. Our challenge was to create something that worked in both contexts.”

In addition to thoroughly understanding the process, the project’s requirements led us to establish a user interaction team—now known as our UX Design Studio. This team worked to gain a deep understanding of user needs and collaborated across the company to ensure those needs aligned with the project goals.

The Development & Launch of Virtual Assay

Virtual Assay I, launched in September 2014, marked the first step toward commercialization. Since then, we have continued to work closely with the research team, led by Professor Blanca Rodriguez, to debug and upgrade the product. “We break the work into two-week sections and meet with the client every two weeks to determine the next steps,” says Pym. “This approach allows us to make adjustments as needed and helps the client shift focus from purely academic research to considering what’s necessary for everyday use in a professional setting.” Virtual Assay II, a version now ready for active marketing, will be launched this month.

As ‘in silico’ drug evaluation continues to advance, it offers the potential for a future where animal testing becomes obsolete and where individuals can receive personalized, validated medicines that are guaranteed to be safe for them.

Next steps

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