EU Project The Body-on-a-Chip

InSphero has co-authored research published in the journal Nature Communications that demonstrates the feasibility of creating multi-tissue networks of spheroids in a hanging drop format, interconnected by microfluidic channels. The publication is the result of their ongoing EU Body on a Chip collaboration, and is highlighted by a proof-of-concept hepatic pro-drug activation experiment displaying biotransformation of cyclophosphamide (CP) by liver microtissues and the subsequent growth inhibition of perfused HCT-116 tumor spheroids.

The evaluation of candidate compounds with the help of in vitro cell-based assays is an integral part of drug development processes. Up to date, the information gained from conventional cell culture studies has not been meaningful enough to eliminate a large fraction of unsuitable candidate compounds at early stages of the screening process. The Body-on-a-Chip (BoC) concept constitutes an enabling technology for in depth understanding of interactions between drugs and their metabolites in various organs with regard to toxic effects (ADME/tox) and/or drug efficacy.

All experiments will be conducted with 3D microtissue models, which offer in many cases better predictability of drug effects than conventional 2D test systems. The platform will accommodate different types of microtissues and features microfluidic interconnections between these compartments, thus mimicking the physiological context and conditions in a complex organism. Sensitive analytical methods such as mass spectroscopy will be integrated into the overall design in order to enable the metabolic profiling of the chip-based cell systems. The possibility to gather information from a comprehensive in vitro model, which allows to identify multi-organ toxicity and/or decreased efficacy due to metabolic activity, has the potential to help improving the drug development process significantly, thereby reducing development costs and time to market.