Before new drugs are marketed, regulatory authorities must be satisfied that the benefits from the new drug outweigh any harms that might occur. The characterisation and amelioration of potential harms is called Drug Safety Assessment.
Biomarkers are important in Drug Safety Assessment. A Biomarker is a defined characteristic that is measured as an indicator of normal biological or pathogenic processes, or as responses to an exposure or intervention, including therapeutics. Molecular, histologic, radiographic (imaging), or physiologic characteristics are all types of Biomarkers.
Translational research is focused on the so-called "translational gaps" in medical research. It uses in vitro and in vivo laboratory research findings to improve the design and interpretation of clinical studies. It uses clinical research findings to improve human health. In addition, translational research uses clinical findings to improve the design and interpretation of in vitro and in vivo laboratory studies.
IB4SD-TRISTAN ("TRISTAN") was a project devised in response to the 7th call for research proposals under IMI 2, on the validation of translational imaging methods in drug safety assessment. TRISTAN succeeded in improving imaging methods and biomarkers for the prevention, mitigation and management of drug-induced harm to patients in its three specific areas. These areas were (1) (WP2) drug-induced changes in fluxes through liver transporters causing drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and drug-drug interactions (DDIs), (2) (WP3) drug-induced interstitial lung disease (DIILD), (3) (WP4) harms arising from maldistribution of large-molecule drugs.