The 2009 Frost & Sullivan European Drug Discovery Product Innovation Award has been presented
to Xenometrix in recognition of its active role in the production of single and multiple
endpoint cytotoxicity assays. These test kits, used in the early screening stages of drug discovery, improve the
effectiveness of drug discovery and development through lead optimisation. One product
line – the IN CYTOTOX PAN I kit – enables researchers to detect four main toxicity parameters
on a single sample, a feat unmatched by competing life science organisations.

“The multiple endpoint IN CYTOTOX test kits are able to determine up to four metabolic
parameters from the same cellular sample,” explains Frost & Sullivan research analyst Dr
Laleh Safinia. “The kit eases some of the bottlenecks in preclinical drug discovery and
development, and increases the relevance of correlation of the tests, reduces the overall
handling time, volume of test compounds needed, plastic waste and consequently, the cost.”

The PAN I cytotoxicity kit allows the application of four commonly used cytotoxicity assays
sequentially on a cellular sample. Such an approach enhances the probability of identifying
toxic compounds, reduces consumption of valuable primary cells, uses lower test
compounds than with individual assays and removes inter-assay variability due to
differences in cell composition, cellular activity and cell density.

“Xenometrix offer testing of chemicals for cytotoxic effects using a range of assays and
assay combinations sold as test kits,” states Safinia. “The cytotoxicity kits are used by major
pharmaceutical, chemical and cosmetic industries, contract service labs as well as
authorities analysing environmental toxicants.”

Xenometrix uses either its own cell lines or can accommodate customers’ own cells.
Company personnel are highly experienced in all aspects of cell culture and have a detailed
knowledge of individual assays. Accordingly, they can optimally meet the testing needs of
customers and can advise them on the assay(s) and assay conditions.

“Such in-house compound testing expertise enables the company to offer fast, reliable and
customised service according to the needs of the customer through a fully interactive
process,” adds Safinia. “Xenometrix offers complete customer support free-of-charge with
respect to technical or scientific questions, practical training, as well as rapid customer
compound testing with all assay systems.”

Each year, the Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Innovation is presented to the company
that has demonstrated excellence in new products and technologies within its industry. The recipient company has shown innovation by launching a broad line of emerging products
and technologies.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and
global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in
areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product
development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance
through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research in order to identify
best practices in the industry.

Speaking about the award, Dr Nicole Weiland, CEO of Xenometrix said, “Thanking you on behalf of the staff of Xenometrix, we appreciate and we feel very honoured by the award. Your recognition is our motivation to continue further developments for efficient, reliable cytotoxicity assays and to contribute to the improvements of drug discovery, as well as of identification of chemical and
environmental toxicants.”