- New collaboration brings ultra-sensitive SMM-seq technology to pharmaceutical, chemical and consumer product developers, enabling deeper insight into genetic safety assessment.
Toxys, a global leader in innovative toxicology testing, and Mutagentech, a biotechnology company specialised in advanced genomic technologies, today announced a strategic collaboration that will make Mutagentech’s proprietary single-molecule mutation sequencing (SMM-seq) technology available through Toxys’ contract research services.
As the first European contract research organisation (CRO) to offer SMM-seq, Toxys expands its portfolio of advanced genetic toxicology services with an innovative sequencing technology capable of detecting chemically induced DNA mutations at unprecedented sensitivity. The collaboration provides pharmaceutical, chemical and consumer product developers with access to richer mutation data that can improve mechanistic understanding, support compound development and contribute to next-generation safety assessment.
The announcement builds on a successful collaboration between the companies that led to the launch of MutaTracker® in 2024. By combining Mutagentech’s expertise in ultra-sensitive SMM-Seq technology with Toxys’ leadership in genetic toxicology and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), the companies aim to accelerate the adoption of more informative approaches to mutagenicity testing. Unlike conventional gene mutation assays that primarily measure mutation frequency, SMM-seq provides both quantitative mutation frequencies and detailed mutation spectra. This enables scientists to better understand the mechanisms underlying DNA damage and mutation induction, supporting more informed decision-making throughout product development and safety assessment.
The timing reflects a growing interest in error-corrected sequencing technologies within the scientific and regulatory communities. OECD expert groups and regulatory authorities are increasingly exploring how these technologies can complement existing genotoxicity testing strategies by providing higher-resolution, sequence-level mutation data. Through this collaboration, Toxys enables customers to access these emerging capabilities today while positioning their testing strategies for the future evolution of regulatory science.
“Our mission is to translate cutting-edge sequencing technologies into practical solutions that advance genetic toxicology,” said Chris Bradley, Chief Executive Officer of Mutagentech. “Partnering with Toxys allows us to bring SMM-seq to a much broader community of researchers and product developers through an organisation recognised worldwide for scientific excellence in genetic toxicology. Together, we will help customers generate more informative mutation data and gain deeper insight into the biological consequences of chemical exposure.”
“Our clients are looking for testing strategies that go beyond hazard identification to provide meaningful mechanistic insight,” said Giel Hendriks, Chief Executive Officer of Toxys. “By adding SMM-seq to our portfolio, we can offer one of the most advanced mutation analysis technologies currently available. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative, animal-free solutions that support better science and better regulatory decisions.”
