Project description
Determining oral drug bioavailability in vitro without animal models
The oral route of drug administration is the most common and the most convenient. However, it is associated with great variability in drug absorption, due to variations in drug metabolism in the gut and liver. This is why predicting oral drug bioavailability is of paramount importance in the drug development process. The EU-funded SMARTA project wishes to bypass the need for animal experimentation to test oral medications. To achieve this, researchers have developed an in vitro device that recapitulates the dynamics of drug absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. This patented technology will be used in proof-of-concept studies to determine bioavailability of specific drugs and improve their absorption.
Objective
In this project our aim is to validate a small scale absorption model for sustainable and animal-free screening of pharmaceutical formulations intended for oral use. The model will use small volumes and low quantities of drugs and excipients, contributing to the sustainable approach taken. The advanced model will enable companies to early on identify the best formulation which enable and increase absorption after oral intake. The model can replace animal models, directing the research to few proof-of-concept studies in vivo in higher preclinical species rather than making use of formulation screens in rodents and higher species. Hence, our technology is a game-changer in the drug development process and significantly contributing to the reduce and replace focus areas of the 3R principles. The company has a strong scientific foundation, and the key people of Enphasys AB have extensive network with leading pharma and biotech companies as well as scientific key opinion leaders. Currently the company has validated its business with regard to our services to customers making use of prime examples from big pharma. In this Women Tech EU project, our aims are to explore a new small scale innovation building on the knowledge acquired on the patented technology own by Enphasys AB. Here, we will analyse the market value, extend and validate our business plan including the new small scale innovation, analyse the IP landscape for the new innovation, and identify sustainable manufacturer(s), preferably located in Europe.
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.3.2 - European innovation ecosystems Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support ActionsCoordinator
741 46 Knivsta
Sweden
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.