The NIH Microphysiological Systems Program: In Vitro Tools for Drug Development and Precision Medicine

Thursday, 14 November 2019 at 18:00

Add to Calendar ▼2019-11-14 18:00:002019-11-14 19:00:00Europe/LondonThe NIH Microphysiological Systems Program: In Vitro Tools for Drug Development and Precision MedicineMicrofluidics and Organ-on-a-Chip Asia 2019 in Tokyo, JapanTokyo, JapanSELECTBIOenquiries@selectbiosciences.com

Approximately 30% of drugs have failed in human clinical trials due to adverse reactions despite promising pre-clinical studies, and another 60% fail due to lack of efficacy. One of the major causes in the high attrition rate is the poor predictive value of current preclinical models used in drug development despite promising pre-clinical studies in 2-D cell culture and animal models. The NIH Microphysiological Systems (Tissue Chips) program led by NCATS is developing alternative approaches and tools for more reliable readouts of toxicity and efficacy during drug development. Tissue chips are bioengineered microphysiological systems utilizing human primary or stem cells seeded on biomaterials manufactured with chip technology and microfluidics that mimic tissue cytoarchitecture and functional units of human organs.  These platforms can be a useful tool for predictive toxicology and efficacy assessments of candidate therapeutics. Effective partnerships with stakeholders, such as regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical companies, patient groups, and other government agencies is key to widespread adoption of this emerging technology. Tissue chips can also contribute to studies in precision medicine, environment exposures, reproduction and development, infectious diseases, microbiome and countermeasures agents.

Danilo Tagle, Director, Office of Special Initiatives, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences at the NIH (NCATS)

Danilo Tagle

Dan Tagle is Director of the Office of Special Initiatives at NCATS where he many coordinates efforts towards development of disruptive technologies in translational research. He obtained his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Wayne State University School of Medicine. He was an NIH National Research Service Award postdoctoral fellow in Human Genetics at the University of Michigan. He has served on numerous committees, advisory boards, and editorial boards. He has authored many scientific publications and has garnered numerous awards, including more recently the Roscoe O. Brady Award for Innovation and Accomplishment, and the Henry J. Heimlich Award for Innovative Medicine.