Research & Development Programs
International consortia projects to transform drug development
Our Innovative Projects
Innovation is not only part of InnoSer’s name but is also central to its activities. We are proud to be taking part in several research and development projects that unite in vitro and in vivo methods. We collaborate with a variety of academic and commercial partners to ultimately bring innovation to the preclinical drug development space. These international consortia projects are funded by prestigious bodies such as: Eurostars, a joint initiative of EUREKA and the European Union; and VLAIO, the Flemish governmental organization for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Our collaborations not only result in new platforms for reliable and efficient drug development, but also puts us at the forefront of scientific developments and knowledge. This way we both contribute to the wider knowledge of the scientific community, and apply the best in constructing the studies we offer as a service.
PDXO – VLAIO
Goal
To develop an integrated drug screening platform consisting of highly translatable in vitro, patient-derived organoid (PDO), and in vivo, patient-derived xenograft (PDX), models.
InnoSer’s role
In collaboration with its partners InnoSer develops both PDX and PDO models in-house using primary patient tissues that are acquired by partner medical institutions. Then, InnoSer contributes to the project by characterizing and storing these models in a biobank for commercial use.
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Lemonaid – Eurostars (E!113873/22), VLAIO
Goal
To develop a novel therapeutic compound targeted at Diffuse Large-Cell B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) using a new class of drugs.
InnoSer’s role
InnoSer develops a patient-derived DBCL organoid platform for drug testing, validates this platform and compares it to a transgenic DLBCL in vivo model developed by its partner. InnoSer also performs in-house drug efficacy screening of the lead-compounds developed using said models.
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MIMICkED – VLAIO
Goal
To develop the next generation of patient-derived tumor models, in-vitro and in-vivo, that mimic tumor’s in their microenvironment, aimed at difficult to treat gastrointestinal tumors such as pancreatic cancer.
InnoSer’s role
In collaboration with its partners, InnoSer collects a wide variety of primary patient materials to develop new organoid and xenograft models each highlighting important components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) which includes stromal-, immune-, and niche-specific cells. InnoSer aims to commercialize these novel multicellular organoids (mPDO’s) as well as patient-derived orthotopic, metastatic and humanized mouse models as a highly translatable platform for oncology drug development.
MINDMAP – Eurostars (E!19206), RVO
Goal
Development of a novel 3D BoC model for Alzheimer’s disease drug development. Combining 3D cultures of IPS derived neurons, integrated in a microfluidic chip, with an artificial intelligence platform to allow for assessment of neuronal network activity at single-cell level.
InnoSer’s role
InnoSer contributes to the optimization of the MINDMAP platform for the intended use in a preclinical screening setting. InnoSer ensures stabile translation and integration of the individual technologies by validating its effectiveness in distinguishing healthy versus diseased conditions as well as the effects of AD research compounds.
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TRANSCEND – Eurostars (E!114817), VLAIO
Goal
Development of an integrated drug development platform consisting of novel in vitro (organoid) and humanized in vivo models for Parkinson’s disease. Distinguishing features of this platform are the integration of microglial cells and humanized dopaminergic precursors.
InnoSer’s role
Development of the new humanized in vivo model for Parkinson’s disease. InnoSer is responsible for the integration of human dopaminergic precursors and microglia in immuno-compromised mice. InnoSer validates the model in-house and uses it to assess standards-of-care therapeutics for PD.
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Nano+ – Health~Holland, TKI / LSH
Goal
Fundamental research in the development of a novel brain-on-chip model for neurodegenerative diseases based on the application of 3D nanogroove-aligned human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons and electrophysiological measurements.
InnoSer’s role
InnoSer contributes knowledge and expertise on the translation of novel technologies into plug-and-play services for preclinical drug development.
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CONNECT – NWO
Goal
Development of an in vitro model connecting iPSC-derived blood-brain barrier blood vessels to cerebral organoids. This platform will function as a predictive tool for the delivery (and efficacy) of potential compounds into the brain.
InnoSer’s role
InnoSer will contribute its knowledge and expertise to shape this truly unique platform into a commercially attractive solution for drug screening, working towards the acceleration of preclinical research in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.
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CystArrest – Eurostars (E!12512), VLAIO
Goal
Development of a novel therapeutic drug for the treatment of Polycystic Kidney Disease
InnoSer’s role
The LUMC develops and characterizes a new ADPKD conditional mouse model (Pkd1 -/- cKo) which is then transferred to InnoSer’s facilities. InnoSer then demonstrates in vivo efficacy of a selected compound by using the model.
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HeartCHIP II – Health~Holland, TKI/LSH
Goal
The HeartCHIP II project develops a novel automated high-throughput (HT) drug screening system to identify promising candidates for HF. The system uniquely uses functional video microscopy of heart tissue cultures as a read-out parameter which is combined with OoC technology and HF disease models.
InnoSer’s role
InnoSer performs a benchmark study of HeartCHIP II’s 3D multi-cell cultures against standardized and validated animal models for HF such as MYCBP3 mutant mice, testing functional outcome after treatment with inotropic compounds.
CARDIOIDS – Health Holland
Goal
To develop and validate a novel cardiac organoid, an engineered heart muscle (EHM), that carries a genetic mutation (PKP2 p.Arg79X) resulting in a rare form of hereditary arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy that may be used as a model for drug screening.
InnoSer’s role
The project aims to assess several important functional and translational parameters, such as cardiomyocyte contractility, in the created organoid model to be compared with a unique arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in-vivo model carrying the same genetic background. InnoSer will onboard both research models and will use its in-vivo echography capabilities to, non-invasively, assess cardiac dysfunction in-vivo. The development of highly translatable, human, in-vitro disease models such as the CARDIOIDS model helps us to reduce dependence on animal models from drug testing.
AAALAC Accreditation
InnoSer has earned the AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to responsible animal care and use. AAALAC International is a nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. Our accreditation is valid for three years, incl. 2023. Read more about the AAALAC accreditation programme here.
Animal Welfare
The 3Rs impact everything from policy and regulatory change to the development and uptake of new technologies and approaches. This is why InnoSer has ongoing commitment and monitoring of these processes. The steps we practice maximize our ability to replace, reduce and refine animal involvement and facilitate our commitment to these principles when it comes to research and drug development.
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