Pitching session

In recent years, the pharmaceutical and biotech industries have recognized the importance of seeking viable and dependable alternatives to traditional animal testing methods. This shift in mindset has led to significant advancements in the development of innovative technologies that include but are not limited to spheroids, s organoids and organs-on-a-chip. These cutting-edge solutions have paved the way for a more ethical, efficient ad physiologically relevant approach to drug development and testing.

Spheroids are multicellular aggregates formed by self-assembly of cells in suspension or on a non-adherent surface and can be composed of a single cell type or a mixture of different cell types, mimicking certain aspects of tissue architecture and cellular interactions found in vivo. They lack the distinct structural and functional organization found in tissues but maintain a 3D structure, providing an intermediate level of complexity between 2D monolayer cell cultures and organoids. Organoids are miniature, three-dimensional organ models that closely mimic the structure and function of human organs. These tiny replicas are created from human cells and can be used to study various biological processes and diseases in a controlled laboratory setting. By utilizing organoids, researchers can gain valuable insights into how drugs interact with specific organs, ultimately leading to more accurate predictions of drug efficacy and toxicity.

On the other hand, organs-on-a-chip are microfluidic devices that replicate aspects the microenvironment of human organs, allowing for the study of complex physiological processes in a controlled and scalable manner. These innovative platforms offer a more physiologically relevant alternative to traditional cell culture models, enabling researchers to conduct high-throughput screening of potential drug candidates with greater accuracy and efficiency.

As the field of organoids and organs-on-a-chip continues to mature, an increasing number of companies and research groups are stepping up to offer their services to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. This growing ecosystem of providers is driving innovation and collaboration, leading to the development of novel technologies and approaches that have the potential to revolutionize drug discovery and development. This pitching session will preset six innovative Swiss biotech companies and one innovation centre developing disruptive organs on the chip and organoids solutions.