Early decision-making in drug discovery is limited by models that do not adequately recapitulate human cardiac biology and by workflows dependent on single-endpoint dyes with poor scalability. This project addresses those constraints by engineering human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with multiplex, endogenous reporters, enabling the same living cells to provide structural, functional, and cell-cycle information in real time. A technology we called TEMPO: Timing Early and Mature Phenotype, Optically. In parallel, we target a bioprocess that yields mature hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) in high quantity by scaling up expansion and differentiation in stirred systems. Together, these elements are intended to deliver human-relevant readouts earlier and at lower marginal cost and complexity.
Objectives.
OBJ1 – Technology feasibility: scale hiPSC manufacturing in stirred bioreactors; validate TEMPO hiPSC-CMs in image-based high-throughput screening for drug discovery and regeneration readouts.
OBJ2 – Business feasibility: quantify cost of goods (COGS) and cost-down levers; conduct market and customer research; develop a cost–benefit model for initial launch segments.
OBJ3 – Executive management: secure IP/FTO; select go-to-market pathway (cells vs contract research service vs co-development); prepare the spin-off plan.
Definition of success (public, general terms).
• Bioprocess: materially higher yields than conventional 2D approaches in a workflow compatible with stirred bioreactors, specifically geared to produce mature hiPSC-CMs at scale.
• Assay validity: reagent-free, multi-signal screening demonstrated using compounds of known pharmacology (e.g. electrophysiology modulators and regenerative cues), evidencing both safety and regeneration readouts.
• Business readiness: a credible cost model with clear levers, an executable IP/licensing pathway, and a spin-off-ready plan.
Expected impact. The platform aims to enable earlier and more reliable decisions, reduce false calls through cell-cycle-aware analysis, decrease dependence on single-use dyes, and offer a practical route from academic innovation to deployable industrial screening—aligned with EU priorities in human-relevant testing and advanced manufacturing.
