(July 9, 2012) Hundreds of
micro-organs mimicked on a chip, with minuscule channels that serve as blood
vessels. These devices can raise drug development to a new level and reduce
animal testing. Leiden researchers and their spin-off company Mimetas are set
to launch their ’organs-on-a-chip’, backed by a 200,000 euro subsidy from STW.
Revolutionising drug development
'We mimic human organs
in a microscopically small space,' explains LACDR researcher and Mimetas
co-founder Paul Vulto. 'These organs-on-a-chip can be used to determine the
efficacy and toxic side-effects of new medicines better and faster. They
provide a unique, novel bridge between traditional laboratory tests and
clinical testing in patients. Showing closer resemblance to humans, they have
the potential to revolutionise therapeutic drug development and save many
laboratory animals at the same time.'
