INDIGO Biosciences launches bradykinin reporter assays for GPCR drug discovery

INDIGO Biosciences has launched human Bradykinin B1 and B2 receptor reporter assays to help drug discovery teams screen inflammation, pain, vascular permeability and related disease pathways. The 96-well cell-based kits are aimed at producing reproducible pharmacology data earlier in development. Why it matters: - The new assays give drug discovery teams a functional way to study bradykinin signaling in disease areas with strong commercial interest, including inflammation, pain, vascular permeability, angioedema and tissue injury response. - INDIGO Biosciences is expanding its GPCR assay portfolio at a time when GPCRs remain one of the most productive target classes in pharmaceutical development. - Earlier, reproducible data can help biopharma teams narrow compounds faster and focus on therapies with better selectivity and signaling profiles. What happened: - INDIGO Biosciences launched Human Bradykinin B1 Receptor and Bradykinin B2 Receptor Reporter Assays. - The launch took place June 11, 2026, in State College, Pennsylvania. - The assays are designed for functional screening of receptor activity in both agonist and antagonist modes. - INDIGO positions the assays as tools for evaluating compound activity, receptor selectivity and downstream signaling in bradykinin-related programs. The details: - The assays target B1R and B2R, two GPCRs in the kallikrein–kinin system. - Bradykinin receptors regulate vasodilation, endothelial permeability, smooth muscle activity, sensory nerve activation and inflammatory responses. - B2R is broadly expressed and drives many acute bradykinin effects, including vascular permeability. - B1R is usually low in healthy tissue but is induced by inflammation, tissue injury, oxidative stress and disease. - The receptor pair is relevant to both acute and chronic disease mechanisms. - B2R antagonism has validated clinical utility in hereditary angioedema. - B1R remains of interest in chronic inflammation, neuropathic pain, metabolic complications and neuroinflammatory disease. - The assays are sold as all-inclusive 96-well kits. - Each kit includes cryopreserved optimized reporter cells, recovery and dilution media, validated reference compounds, luciferase detection reagents, cell culture-ready assay plates and detailed protocols. - Bulk reagent options are available for higher-throughput screening programs. - INDIGO also offers assay services for B1R and B2R studies. - The company says the service option is a convenient and cost-effective alternative to in-house testing while providing access to reproducible data backed by assay expertise. Between the lines: - The launch broadens INDIGO Biosciences’ offering in clinically relevant targets, which may make the company more attractive to teams looking for ready-to-use screening tools. - The focus on both receptor subtypes matters because B1R and B2R support different biology across acute and chronic disease settings. - Functional reporter assays can be especially useful in early discovery because they measure activity, not just binding. What’s next: - INDIGO Biosciences says it will keep broadening its assay offering across clinically and commercially significant targets. - The company is aiming to help researchers speed discovery workflows and improve access to actionable data for next-generation therapeutic development. - Drug discovery teams can now use the new kits or assay services to support screening programs targeting bradykinin-mediated disease pathways.