Classical drug development is based on proof-of-concept studies using immortalized cell lines and animal models. The use of these non-predictive models has led to high attrition in Phase 1 human clinical trials due to poor clinical safety, toxicity and inappropriate pharmacokinetics. Based on recent discoveries, human stem cell lines can now essentially be instructed to form any tissue type recapitulating 3D architecture and physiology. These predictive 3D models will be a game changer in drug development and significantly reduce the cost of on average USD 1.3 billion for bringing a drug to market. The technical challenges around 3D image-based screens have until now limited their implementation into drug discovery pipelines. Developments in high-content microscopy and image-based analysis are breaking down these barriers. In StemScreen we will establish the first Danish academic-industrial partnership around stem cell-based disease modeling and drug screening with strong international links. Our objective is to establish a network of experts and the infrastructure required to perform high-content phenotypic analyses of stem cell-based 3D models supporting drug discovery and commercialization. Specifically, we will within StemScreen identify lead compounds for at least 7 clinical conditions and advance the methods for stem cell-based 3D models. Collectively, this will push specialist training and bioinnovation in Denmark.

Projektet udvikler en mikrofluidisk impedans flow cytometri?chip med mere end 100 parallelle og integrede målekanaler ved brug af en stencil?baseret fabrikationsmetode. Den øgede væskegennemstrømning giver hurtig, følsom og brugervenlig kvantificering af bakterier ved meget lave niveauer. Den endelige løsning vil rette sig mod bl.a. point?of?care applikationer i hospitaler og procesvand/sterilitetstests i farmaceutisk produktion med klar vej til industriel opskalering.