The N-IF mouse – a new and unique fibrosis model for preclinical efficacy studies

Project Information

N-IF

Grant agreement ID: 785922

DOI

10.3030/785922

Project closed

EC signature date 30 November 2017

Start date 1 December 2017

End date 31 May 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Biotechnology

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

INFICURE BIO AKTIEBOLAG
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - N-IF (The N-IF mouse – a new and unique fibrosis model for preclinical efficacy studies)

Reporting period: 2017-12-01 to 2018-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Fibrosis, or scar tissue within an organ, is a global problem and currently there are no efficient therapies aimed against fibrotic diseases despite their high prevalence among the world population and their huge impact on human health.

Pharma companies are struggling to develop anti-fibrotic drugs due to a lack of good and reliable preclinical models that better resemble human fibrotic disease conditions.

The N-IF mouse, developed by InfiCure Bio, is the first animal model that exhibits the same course of fibrotic disease progression as in humans, is 100% reproducible and spontaneously develops fibrosis. The objectives of the Phase 1 N-IF project were to conduct a feasibility report and prepare for further validation studies of the mouse model in order to establish the pathology of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), renal and pulmonary fibrosis enlarging the pipeline models for fibrotic diseases.

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

The feasibility study was performed using the Strategic Business Planning Methodology which resulted in an overall business development strategy for the company. The data collected provided a valuable understanding of the current trends and opportunities on the fibrosis market, targeted users, competitors and potential partnerships. The assessment also resulted in a work plan for carrying out validation studies that will provide evidence that usage of the products will lead to a faster and more efficient development of drugs against fibrotic disease. The feasibility study has confirmed that there is a clear business opportunity to exploit on the global fibrosis market and to deliver new experimental models for efficacy testing of anti- fibrotic and anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

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)

The feasibility study has further confirmed the innovative character of InfiCure Bio’s products. Their unique features such spontaneous development of fibrosis and 100% reproducibility will allow to shorten test protocols by 4-8 weeks, increase robustness of tests and minimize the number of experimental animals needed. Reductions in experiment time and in mice numbers directly translate into a 25 - 50% decrease in the overall costs of preclinical testing of anti-fibrotic drugs. InfiCure Bio will deliver a novel tool for the development of efficient anti-fibrotic therapies that will increase patient survival, improve recovery, decrease the degree of permanent disabilities, improve patient quality life and lower healthcare costs meeting both the clinical and socio-economic needs.

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