Wickham Laboratories announces new in vitro pyrogenicity testing method

UK-based Wickham Laboratories has introduced the monocyte activation test (MAT) as the latest addition to its portfolio of in vitro alternatives to in vivo testing methods.

The test is designed for assessment of pyrogenicity of pharmaceutical products and medical devices.

The MAT is a non-animal alternative to the traditional rabbit pyrogen test and Wickham Labs says it has introduced it as part of its commitment to the reduction, refinement, and replacement of animal testing.

The lab has successfully verified the Merck PyroDetect System for the purpose of the pyrogenicity assessment via MAT according to European Pharmacopoeia 2.6.30.

The MAT can detect pyrogenic contamination such as: gram-positive (non-endotoxin), gram-negative (endotoxin), other biological (virus, fungi), and non-biological.

Following the European Pharmacopoeia, any new product or device submitted for the MAT testing will be subjected to preparatory testing (product specific validation) - Wickham Labs scientists will establish the suitability of the MAT method for each product, work on the development of an appropriate method and conduct a GMP product specific validation.