IDEFIX Multiorgan toxicity and efficacy test platform

Project Information

IDEFIX

Grant agreement ID: 101099775

DOI

10.3030/101099775

Project closed

EC signature date 26 October 2022

Start date 1 November 2022

End date 31 August 2024

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 2 496 073,25

EU contribution

€ 2 496 073,00

Coordinated by

CHERRY BIOTECH
France

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - IDEFIX (IDEFIX Multiorgan toxicity and efficacy test platform)

Reporting period: 2023-11-01 to 2024-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

To address the critical problem of the failure of animal testing to predict drug effects (toxicity and efficacy) in humans, Cherry Biotech develops a breakthrough organ-on-chip/MPS solution based on microfluidic technology. Using human tissue, our IDEFIX technology mimics multiorgan physiology and physiopathology. Our MPS platform aims to be the new standard as an alternative to animal experimentation in preclinical studies. Indeed, our solution succeeds in tackling all major industry bottlenecks: seamless adaptability to current workflows, compatibility with all standard multiwell cell cultures and tissues, as well as full microenvironment control and measure while providing a state-of-the-art reconstruction of complex tissues (vascularisation, immune system, circulating metastasis, multiorgan interconnection).
Additionally, IDEFIX project technological development will be useful in personalized medicine, in order to predict the efficacy-toxicity of a therapeutic strategy before the administration to the patient. Indeed, the possibility to directly cultivate patient biopsies for more than 7 days is critical in this regards. Controlling precisely the micro-environment of the biopsies and recreating the physio-pathology of the patient in a standard multiwall is therefore strongly needed.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

WP1: The work done has consisted in redesigning the hardware and software architecture of the CubIX Platform, including an in-depth characterisation of the CubiX platform, as well as designing and updating the Microfluidic Perfusion Lid after feedback from our market and internal usage. Finally we have started to anticipate a small scale production

WP2: The work done has consisted of identifying problem to be solved in the development of 6 biological models, either includes in the DoA (liver, breast cancer, adipose tissue), as well as new ones directly asked by our customers (lung, skin). During the second reporting period we have advance further on 2 specific model with our 2 partners Gustave Roussy Institut for the breast cancer model, and Sanofi for the vascular toxicity model (vascularisation). Work performed has consisted of setting up a standardized feedback/validation questionnaire.

WP3: The work done has consisted of generating and qualify prospects acquire via different channels (conferences, networking, website, social media, and digital prospection). Each lead is qualify according to a specific scale and follow using a CRM (Pipedrive) We have actively participated and integrate regulatory network. IRL increase has been done in Task 3.4. During the second reporting period we have continued the lead characterisation, and set-up a monthly reporting of the commercial/lead acquisition activities. We have focalized our conference attendance in conference with B2B meeting.

WP4: We have successfully started the implementation of the IDEFIX project, accelerate on the hiring for the increase of TRL and go to market strategy implementation, as well as performed a FTO analysis, fill new patents and signed licencing contrat, communicate and disseminate projects results.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

In line with the technical objectives the results can be described as follow:

Objective 1: Develop the IDEFIX platform from proof-of-concept (TRL3/4) to a viable demonstrator (TRL6):
➢ Characterise the behaviour of the platform in terms of temperature, gas enrichment, flow stability over time to identify the reliable working range.
Objective 2: Qualify the new platform with known drugs in a relevant environment with industrial and academic end-users using three different applications: type 2 diabetes, liver toxicity, and breast cancer.
➢ 6 biological model has been already developed, 3 were plan in the IDEFIX project, and 3 has been added after customer demands (vascular interface, breast cancer organoids, lung cancer organoids, skin, liver organoids, adipose tissue).
Objective 3: Turn a currently expensive MPS Disposable prototype into a product generating recurring revenue.
➢ Final design of the MPS disposable has been made to be compatible with small scale production (TRL5/6) that will reduce the cost.

Business validation and project development objectives
Objective 4: Organise a pre-selling campaign of the IDEFIX demonstrator version (validate the problem/solution fit)
➢ Acquire more than 270 lead in our sale pipeline, have validated a willingness to pay
Objective 5: Increase investment readiness investor pipeline.
➢ Pitched 9 VC since the beginning of the project, participate to Innovation Radar Biotech E-pitch and Access2EIC e-pitch session, signed an exclusive contract with fundraiser company to support us in the fundraising preparation and apply and obtain an EIC accelerator
Objective 6: Refinement and anticipation of regulatory changes.
➢ Integration of regulatory network and society (EurOOC, IMPSS, AFFSI, EPAA, Biovalley OOC, CEN Cenelec)
Objective 7: Strengthening community management.
➢ Launch of new website and LinkedIn company’s page (4200followers), scientific communication via peer reviewed paper (2), published abstract (2), poster presentation (3) or oral communication (1). Creation of a comic to communicate in an original way