PROBLEM – The drug development cycle, from basic research to testing efficacy, toxicity, and safety of new therapeutics, is largely depending on animal models. However, animal biology and pathology differ from human biology at crucial points. The sector is aware of the significant complications in their usage but lacks better alternatives. Highly advanced technology exists for the culture of cell systems, organs, tumors, etc. outside the body (‘in vitro’). However, the existing culture models lack functional blood vessels – a vital structure inside the body (‘in vivo’). There is a great unmet need for better models of human biology, to speed up both basic research on human biology as well as the development of novel, much needed therapeutic solutions.
SOLUTION – The OrganoPlate® Graft project involved the development to market readiness of the first high-throughput in vitro culture system for vascularized tissue that is unrivalled in biological performance, speed and ease of use. An extensive proof of concept (PoC) for this method has been obtained. The new product will be launched within 6-months post-project and allow for the study and manipulation of human tissues with functional human vascularization at an industrial scale and quality.
RESULTS – The aimed result of the 3-year OrganoPlate® Graft project was to empower users by aiding them to grow tissues with human vascularization in vitro – enabling a dramatic reduction in the need for animal experiments and enabling the design of completely novel experiments in research, development, and clinical settings. This is expected to aid the development of better drugs at a reduced financial and ethical cost. We established the OrganoReady Vascular Bed product, with a finalized manufacturing strategy implemented and roll out of the beta testing program. The first shipments to customers have been successfully executed and customer application developments have initiated. One of our showcase applications is currently under peer review.
