The In Vitro Technology training course is an interactive courses which focusses on the design and implementation of in vitro assays to support drug discovery and development. The course introduces the concepts of the different enzyme systems that are important for drug metabolism and discusses the appropriate methodologies and design for conducting in vitro experiments. The interpretation of the data from enzyme kinetics, inhibition and induction assays is covered before moving on to drug transporter assay design and interpretation. All of the learning is reinforced by tutorials structured around the key learning content where delegates get to work in a small team to complete the work. The course finishes with drug discovery scenario whereby the project team has to interpret in vitro data to select lead candidates to move in to further development.

Course content includes:

• Enzymology of drug metabolism

• Enzyme kinetics

• Inhibition and induction of ADME targets

• Use of different in vitro systems for DMPK assays

• Drug transporters

Intended audience:
This course is intended for DMPK scientists wanting to understand the best practices for designing and conducting in vitro assays to support drug development. Delegates will learn how to interpret in vitro data to support drug discovery and development projects. It is recommended that delegates have some industrial experience and appreciation of DMPK as a broad discipline and of the discovery-development pathway. The course is also suitable for scientists from other disciplines (eg medicinal chemistry, biology, pharmacology, toxicology) wanting to learn more about the role of in vitro assays in the wider discovery project environment to enhance overall project leadership skills and decision making.

Schedule:
The course is usually delivered in a face to face format over 4 days (3 night stay). Designed as an interactive course, content is delivered using a combination of lectures, tutorials and interactive group sessions. Delegates also join together as smaller virtual project teams for the interactive workshops. There are 11 hours of lectures, and 10.5 hours of interactive workshops.

Consistent with the DMDG core principles, the interactions and networking between delegates and with tutors is encouraged at all times including opportunities to connect at coffee breaks and at dinner each evening.

Logistics:
The course runs every 2 years for a maximum of 48 delegates. More frequent courses may operate according to delegate interest and tutor availability.

Location:
The course is usually run from our DMDG training base at Burleigh Court, Loughborough, UK.

Tutors:

• Peter Kilford, Labcorp, UK (Course Leader)

• Sandy Baldwin, GSK

• Rob Elsby, Cyprotex, An Evotec Company

• Mark Wenlock, Cyprotex, An Evotec Company

• Louise Wray, GW Pharmaceuticals

• Roz Southall, Certara, UK