Dynamic42 and research partners present three-organ system to reduce animal testing

19. February 2025 In News

Press Release | Dynamic42 and research partners present three-organ system to reduce animal testing

Pilot project “Multi Organ Model” successfully completed

Jena, February 19, 2025 – Innovative organ-on-chip specialist Dynamic42 and ESQlabs, experts in digital life sciences solutions, have successfully developed a three-organ system, in close collaboration with Consumer Health Division of Bayer, and the Placenta Lab at Jena University Hospital. The platform has the potential to significantly reduce animal testing using Organ-on-chip (OoC) technology and interactive computational software. The aim of the one-year pilot project was to collect clinically relevant data, crucial for the evaluation of new drug candidates in preclinical research. The results of the project have now been published in Frontiers in Pharmacology journal.

The project investigated whether certain drugs could cross the blood-placental barrier in pregnant women – a group of people who are rarely included in clinical trials due to ethical and practical restrictions. A particular focus was on the investigation of drugs during pregnancy, especially corticosteroids such as prednisone, as there are limited data available on pharmacokinetics and safety in this area. Conventional preclinical models, including animal studies, do not provide sufficient information on the drug exposure of the mother and the unborn child.

Three-organ model improves prediction of drug response

To address the existing gap in preclinical drug research, Dynamic42 has further developed the potential of its existing platform, which is based on the so-called “organ-on-chip” technology. The developed platform represents the three main human tissues involved in drug utilization – liver, intestine and placenta. An integrated pump system ensures that the cell culture medium circulates between the tissues, thus enabling a realistic simulation of substance distribution. The coupled digital analysis of the data generated in the platform enables transfer to human conditions. Using the drug prednisone as a model substance, the system simulates the absorption, metabolism and transfer of the drug via the placenta.

Simulation with digital twin technology

The use of digital twin technology is a promising approach to improving drug safety and efficacy. With the help of computer models that realistically depict biological processes, both acute and long-term drug effects can be simulated. ESQlabs integrates experimental data from the multi-organ platform into mathematical models to precisely predict the distribution and metabolism of drugs in pregnant women. This contributes to a better evaluation of dose-response relationships and risk assessment.

Animal-free alternative for pharmacokinetics research

Although animal testing is often mandatory in the preclinical phase of new drug development, in some cases it can be difficult to transfer the results from animals to humans. The developed platform represents a promising alternative to animal testing and makes an important contribution to the understanding of drug behavior during pregnancy. It can also support the early assessment of drug safety in vulnerable populations. These results underline the potential of the system to simulate complex pharmacological processes in vitro and thus enable more accurate predictions of drug safety and efficacy.

Quotes from the partners

“We have created an exciting new way to combine MPS in a multi-organ setting with in silico predictions. With this platform, we can take drug safety and efficacy assessment to a whole new level, providing valuable data for the development of safe and effective therapies,” said Dr. Martin Raasch, CEO of Dynamic42.

“At ESQlabs, we specialize in bridging the gap between wet-lab data and computational modeling through our digital twins’ technologies for translational research. By integrating in-silico simulations with multi-organ MPS platforms, we elevate preclinical testing to new levels of precision and reliability. This collaborative pilot project with Dynamic42, Bayer, and the Placenta Lab illustrates how we can reduce animal testing and deepen our understanding of drug behavior in complex, human-relevant systems,” says Dr. Christian Maass, BU Lead MPSlabs.

“The Placenta Lab is active in a wide range of research topics related to human reproduction and pregnancy. This collaboration is a major milestone for the development of new mechanisms to study the placental barrier and its bidirectional selective transport in humans,” says Priv.-Doz. Dr. Diana Morales Prieto, deputy director and scientific group leader of the Placenta Lab.

“It has been an important concern of Bayer for years to minimize animal testing according to the 3R principles (Reduce, Refine and Replace). In the joint project with scientists from ESQlabs, Dynamic42 and the Placenta Lab, we were able to develop new approaches to further minimize animal testing. At the same time, we have gained more accurate and reliable data on drug safety and efficacy,” says Assoc. Prof. Ramy Ammar, Science Innovation Director, Front End Innovation, Consumer Health Division of Bayer. “We are pleased to have taken such an important step in the development of alternative testing methods.”

About Dynamic42

Dynamic42 GmbH was founded in 2018 and is a spin-off from the Integrated Research and Treatment Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC) of the University Hospital Jena. Dynamic42 markets and develops human organ-on-chip models/ microphysiological systems with integrated immune system components for research and testing of pharmaceutical products, novel therapies such as nanoparticles, chemical and food additives.

About ESQlabs

ESQlabs specializes in the development of software solutions for translational research in the life sciences. With an expertise in biological system’s simulation, ESQlabs supports preclinical drug development and NGRA by creating virtual models and digital twins that enable more accurate prediction of drug efficacy and safety. ESQlabs’ solutions help to make critical decisions and increase the efficiency of research processes. www.esqlabs.com

About the Placenta Lab (Jena University Hospital)

The Placenta Lab at Jena University Hospital is dedicated to research into human reproduction and pregnancy. It covers a wide range of topics, from endometrial function to placental biology, with a particular focus on developing alternatives to animal experiments. Through interdisciplinary research, mechanisms of selective transport of molecules across the placenta and their influence on the development of drug therapies are investigated. The aim is to develop a better understanding of the placenta in order to evaluate drug effects during pregnancy more precisely. www.placenta-labor.de

About Bayer

Bayer is a global company with core competencies in the life science fields of health and nutrition. With its products and services, the company aims to benefit people and protect the environment by helping to solve the fundamental challenges of a steadily growing and aging world population. Bayer is committed to making a significant contribution to sustainable development through its business activities. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality worldwide. www.bayer.com