In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted its first approval for the use of organoid and organ-on-a-chip technologies in new drug development research, marking a milestone in the field of biomedical research. This approval not only demonstrates the FDA's high level of confidence in the capability of organoid technology to simulate human physiological responses, but also underscores its significant potential as an alternative to traditional animal testing.
For many years, animal models have been the primary method in new drug development, but they often fail to fully replicate the complex physiological responses of humans, resulting in low success rates in clinical trials. Furthermore, animal testing raises ethical concerns, especially in drug toxicity testing and efficacy validation, as it is challenging to balance experimental outcomes with humane treatment of animals.
The emergence of organoid and organ-on-a-chip technologies offers new possibilities for drug screening. Organoid culture involves cultivating human cells in a three-dimensional environment to form small structures that resemble actual human organs, allowing scientists to recreate organ functions and microenvironments at the cellular and tissue levels. These miniature “organoids” can more accurately simulate human responses to drugs and capture interactions between different tissues. Organ-on-a-chip technology combines cells, microfluidics, and biomaterials to create chips that can simulate specific organ functions, providing a more human-relevant environment for drug safety and efficacy testing.
The FDA’s recognition of this technology brings new directions for the pharmaceutical industry, steering drug development toward more ethical and efficient methods. Organoid technology is increasingly seen as a reliable alternative, with the potential to accelerate drug screening processes, improve the success rate of drug screening, and have a profound impact on the future of new drug development.
Progress in Organoid-Based Drug Development in China
Against this backdrop, new drug development in China is also rapidly advancing with the support of organoid technology. In May 2023, Hengrui Pharma’s HRS-1893 tablet became the first new drug in China to receive clinical trial approval based on data from a cardiac organ-on-a-chip. This innovative drug, which inhibits excessive myocardial contraction, is intended for the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and heart failure due to myocardial hypertrophy. The screening process utilized a cardiac organ-on-a-chip developed by Southeast University’s Suzhou Institute of Medical Devices, which validated the drug's cardiac safety in vitro, providing an efficient method for drug selection and optimization.
Bright Prospects for Organoid Culture, with GelNEST Matrix Supporting Research
As a new biological model, organoids have unique advantages over cell lines and animal models. With a cellular composition and structure more similar to human tissues, they provide a highly physiologically relevant system and are an excellent model for basic research. Leveraging extensive experience and advanced technology, NEST is dedicated to providing professional and efficient organoid culture and validation services, meeting clients' needs in different research areas and applications.
Our service workflow includes tissue sampling, tissue processing and analysis, initial organoid establishment, service delivery, organoid identification, and passaging. From sample collection to data delivery, we ensure full process support, combining a professional team and stringent quality control to provide researchers with precise and efficient organoid construction services. With a service cycle of 4-6 weeks, we aim to accelerate your research process.
The GelNEST Matrix product demonstrates exceptional value in supporting organoid culture. Derived from mouse tumor tissue, the matrix is rich in laminin, type IV collagen, and various growth factors that provide necessary support for cell adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation. It also simulates the characteristics of the basement membrane in a physiological environment, providing a stable and efficient microenvironment for organoid culture in vitro.
The iPSC-Induced Differentiation Organoid Kit is a high-efficiency, reliable tool for differentiating iPSCs into desired organoid cells. This kit provides a complete set of media and growth factors, simulating the developmental environment in vivo and promoting the directed differentiation of iPSCs into target organoid cells. Researchers can easily obtain a large quantity of high-quality target organoid cells for research and applications by using this kit.
In fields such as stem cell differentiation, angiogenesis, tumor research, and organoid culture, NEST provides scientists with an experimental platform that closely mimics the human physiological environment. Moving forward, NEST will continue to support researchers in advancing biomedical innovation through high-quality support materials, promoting drug development and disease research, and allowing organoid technology to play a greater role in healthcare and pharmaceutical R&D.
