Press Releases

New Multi-Organ-Chip project towards vaccine & drug candidate testing for Tuberculosis

New Multi-Organ-Chip project towards vaccine & drug candidate testing for Tuberculosis

Berlin, Germany, November 7th, 2022

TissUse will receive funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a human preclinical lung-liver-lymph node co-culture on a HUMIMIC Chip infectable with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This collaboration will contribute to the development of Tuberculosis vaccine candidates and treatment modalities.

TissUse announced today that it has received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for a 3-year project. The joint research activities have the goal to develop a vascularized microphysiological system interconnecting human lung, liver and lymph node organoids capable of screening Tuberculosis vaccine candidates and treatment modalities.

“We are pleased to collaborate in this project with the TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI) as a coordinator and the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) as a scientific partner.” – Prof. Dr. Uwe Marx, CSO of TissUse.

The microphysiological model will support tissue homeostasis and will be monitorable for treatment efficacy over weeks. After airborne infection with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, the new model system aims to show the disease-specific phenotype of “frustrated” phagocytosis, air-blood barrier damage, activated lymph node tissue and granuloma formation and maintenance. The disease model will then be used to test screening of TB vaccine candidates.

“We are excited to be able to contribute with this project to the development of new vaccines and future treatments for Tuberculosis and would like to thank the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for supporting our vision and funding this project.” – Dr. Reyk Horland, CEO of TissUse.

 

Press contact TissUse GmbH:

Christine Schwenk
Business Development Manager
TissUse GmbH
Oudenarder Str. 16
13347 Berlin
Germany

Tel.: 0049-30 513-026-400
Fax: 0049-30-513-026-401
E-mail: info@tissuse.com
Web: www.tissuse.com

Philip Morris International and TissUse develop a human aerosol test platform to emulate the entire human respiratory tract

Philip Morris International and TissUse develop a human aerosol test platform to emulate the entire human respiratory tract

Neuchâtel, Switzerland and Berlin, Germany, June 21st, 2021

PMI and TissUse have signed a collaboration agreement to utilize PMI’s InHALES technology in combination with TissUse’s proprietary Multi-Organ-Chip (MOC) platform to enable inhalation exposure of functional human tissues in homeostasis at minute scale in vitro.

The two partners will develop a highly innovative integrated human aerosol test platform that emulates the entire human respiratory tract with regard to dimension and architecture. PMI has established a platform that perfectly matches the architecture and characteristics of the human respiratory tract (InHALES). TissUse has established the widely used HUMIMIC Multi-Organ-Chip (MOC) platform, which enables functional human tissue response in vitro. A plug&play interface between the two technologies will allow physiologically relevant exposure to complex aerosols in the background of an in vivo-like organization and breathing performance of the human lungs. The novel integrated HUMIMIC–InHALES test platform will allow acute and subchronic tests on lung models in combination with miniaturized human liver equivalents, enabling assessment of local effects on the biological barrier of lung epithelia, penetration of substances into blood circulation, and eventual systemic effects. Altogether, HUMIMIC–InHALES will provide a highly predictive model for assessing respiratory toxicity and systemic human effects of inhaled aerosols and their constituents, such as environmental toxins, smoke particles, airborne pathogens, and inhalable medications.

“The agreement meets PMI’s ambitions to extend its competence in aerosol applications to the development of new methods for exploratory research and translational sciences, which will not only help advance the research & development of PMI products but also broadly support biomedical research beyond PMI’s core business.” explains Dr. Julia Hoeng, Global Head Discovery, Philip Morris International.

“This agreement synergizes the complementary ideas, know-how and experience of both companies. We are very much looking forward to enhancing TissUse’s highly innovative product and assay portfolio through this collaboration.” explains Dr. Reyk Horland, CEO of TissUse.

Technical and financial details of the collaboration were not disclosed.

About the Multi-Organ-Chip (MOC) technology

TissUse’s proprietary commercial MOC technology platform is a microfluidic microphysiological system capable of maintaining and culturing miniaturized organ equivalents that can emulate the biological function of their respective full-size counterparts over long periods. The system incorporates major features of living biology, such as pulsatile fluid flow, mechanical and electrical coupling, and physiological tissue-to-fluid and tissue-to-tissue ratios. This supports the development of a large variety of substance assays, ranging from acute and repeated dose toxicity assays to long-term disease treatment (efficacy assays). The technology allows flexible and customized combination of different tissue constructs or organ equivalents on a disposable chip-based microphysiological system. The number of organ equivalents supported by the platform ranges from a single organ culture up to an organ number that can support the study of complex organ interactions. The first commercially available platforms support single-, two-, three-, and four-organ cultures. Examples of organ models available at TissUse include the liver, intestine, skin, vasculature, neuronal tissue, cardiac tissue, cartilage, pancreas, kidney, thyroid, hair follicle, lung tissue, fatty tissue, tumor models, and bone marrow. Further organ models are being developed. The platform further comprises HUMIMIC Starter devices that operate up to four MOCs simultaneously. These units provide the flexibility needed for controlling and monitoring any on-chip organ arrangement.

About the InHALES technology

PMI’s proprietary InHALES technology refers to an aerosol exposure device that closely resembles the human respiratory tract with regard to its dimension, structure, and function. It allows the study of deposition and adsorption of inhaled aerosols using a human-like lung model and thus renders the data for in vitro human respiratory toxicity more accurate and predictive. Current in vitro aerosol exposure systems do not commonly simulate these properties, which may result in the delivery of non-realistic, non-human-relevant doses of inhalable test substances to in vitro biological test systems. The new-generation in vitro aerosol exposure device—InHALES—developed by PMI can actively breathe, operate medical inhalers, or take puffs from tobacco products. In addition, it can be populated with three-dimensional epithelia isolated from various regions of the human respiratory tract. A proof of concept has recently been demonstrated with respect to aerosol delivery and compatibility of the system with oral, bronchial, and alveolar cell cultures (Steiner et al. 2020)

InHALES follows a new strategy for aligning in vitro to in vivo dosimetry; instead of determining in vivo-delivered doses (which we define as the aerosol mass or the mass of a given aerosol constituent deposited on an exposed cell culture) and applying them to test systems, InHALES generates physiological conditions under which test atmospheres are likely to behave in the way they would in the respiratory tract of a living person. This inverse approach has the advantage that it eliminates the need for costly, time-consuming, and scientifically challenging efforts for determining in vivo delivered doses and is, by default, applicable to any test atmosphere and any test atmosphere constituent. Furthermore, by functionally and structurally mimicking the human respiratory tract, the system eliminates the need for repeated exposure when addressing different regions of the respiratory tract, because a single system covers and allows simultaneous exposure of all compartments and enables testing of any relevant breathing pattern or behavior. Because the system is capable of generating or sampling test aerosols on its own and in a way that is highly comparable to how the human respiratory tract does the same, the risk of introducing experimental artifacts during external test atmosphere generation or sampling is eliminated. Finally, the physiologically relevant dosing inside the system can be quantified with relative ease because the system allows complete accessibility for sampling and probes; the applicability of the system is, therefore, not limited to in vitro exposure; rather, the system is also a valuable tool for dosimetry applications.

About TissUse – www.tissuse.com

TissUse is a Berlin, Germany-based, biotechnology company, which has developed a unique “Multi-Organ-Chip” platform that provides unparalleled preclinical insight on a systemic level using human tissues. This enabling technology platform consists of a miniaturized construct that closely simulates the activity of multiple human organs in their true physiological context. TissUse’s Multi-Organ-Chips provide a new approach to predict, for example, toxicity, ADME profiles and efficacy in vitro, reducing and replacing laboratory animal testing and streamlining human clinical trials.
TissUse’s Multi-Organ-Chips have been utilized in a large variety of applications including drug development, cosmetics, food and nutrition and consumer products since 2012.

About Philip Morris International – www.pmi.com

Philip Morris International (PMI) is leading a transformation in the tobacco industry to create a smoke-free future and ultimately replace cigarettes with smoke-free products to the benefit of adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, society, the company, its shareholders, and its other stakeholders. PMI is a leading international tobacco company engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, as well as smoke-free products, associated electronic devices and accessories, and other nicotine-containing products in markets outside the U.S. In addition, PMI ships versions of its IQOS Platform 1 device and consumables to Altria Group, Inc. for sale under license in the U.S., where these products have received marketing authorizations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) pathway; the FDA has also authorized the marketing of a version of IQOS and its consumables as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP), finding that an exposure modification order for these products is appropriate to promote the public health. PMI is building a future on a new category of smoke-free products that, while not risk-free, are a much better choice than continuing to smoke. Through multidisciplinary capabilities in product development, state-of-the-art facilities, and scientific substantiation, PMI aims to ensure that its smoke-free products meet adult consumer preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements. PMI’s smoke-free product portfolio includes heat-not-burn and nicotine-containing vapor products. As of March 31, 2021, PMI’s smoke-free products are available for sale in 66 markets in key cities or nationwide, and PMI estimates that approximately 14.0 million adults around the world have already switched to IQOS and stopped smoking. For more information, please visit www.pmi.com and www.pmiscience.com.

 

Press contact TissUse GmbH:

Christine Schwenk
Business Development Associate
TissUse GmbH
Oudenarder Str. 16
13347 Berlin
Germany

Tel.: 0049-30 513-026-400
Fax: 0049-30-513-026-401
E-mail: info@tissuse.com
Web: www.tissuse.com

TissUse GmbH appoints Dr. Reyk Horland as new CEO while TissUse’s founder Dr. Uwe Marx will continue to strengthen the innovative power of the company in his new role as CSO
Dr. Uwe Marx (left) and Dr. Reyk Horland (right).
Dr. Uwe Marx (left) and Dr. Reyk Horland (right).

TissUse GmbH appoints Dr. Reyk Horland as new CEO while TissUse’s founder Dr. Uwe Marx will continue to strengthen the innovative power of the company in his new role as CSO

Berlin, Germany, October 1st, 2020

On its 10th company anniversary, TissUse GmbH appoints Dr. Reyk Horland, previously VP Business Development, as the new CEO. Reyk Horland has been with TissUse since it was founded in 2010 and has implemented a profitable product business with a remarkable annual sales growth rate since the market launch of the HUMIMIC® technology in 2014. His business network includes leading pharmaceutical and consumer product companies as well as regulatory authorities and outstanding research institutions worldwide. "I look forward to achieving exceptional business expansion with proprietary products for meaningful drug evaluation and personalized precision medicine. With its strategic positioning, TissUse will also be able to benefit from the dynamic changes in global economic areas in the coming years," comments Reyk Horland on his appointment.

The company's founder and former CEO, Dr. Uwe Marx, is going to concentrate on the next generation of ground-breaking innovations in his role as Chief Scientific Officer. This is where Uwe Marx will approach the remaining challenges to establish a complex systemic human biology on miniaturised chips. "We are facing technological breakthroughs in the supply of whole blood and the innervation of organ models in combination with a personalized mature immune system on the HUMIMIC® platform. I am delighted to devote all my energy to the translation of these innovations into patient benefit and animal welfare." says the pioneer in the field of multi-organ system development with his 30 years of scientific expertise. Dr. Marx will continue to actively promote the development of a strong international stakeholder community for microphysiological systems.

About TissUsewww.tissuse.com

TissUse is a German biotech company based in Berlin that has developed a unique “Multi-Organ-Chip” technology which makes it possible to conduct preclinical, systemic safety and efficacy testing of substances using a combination of different human tissues. As a result, HUMIMIC products can play a major role in improving, simplifying, and accelerating the development of pharmaceutical, chemical, and cosmetic products.

 

Press contact TissUse GmbH:

Reyk Horland, CEO
TissUse GmbH
Oudenarder Str. 16
13347 Berlin
Germany

Tel.: 0049-30 513-026-400
Fax: 0049-30-513-026-401
E-mail: info@tissuse.com
Web: www.tissuse.com

TissUse has been certified under the ISO EN 9001-2015

TissUse has been certified under the ISO EN 9001-2015

Berlin, Germany, December 12th, 2019

TissUse – the leading pioneer of the Multi-Organ-Chips technology enabling highly predictive substance testing has been awarded the ISO EN 9001-2015.

The ISO 9001-2015 is a globally recognized standard that certifies quality management systems focused on ongoing improvements, customer satisfaction and implementing a process approach in management. This certificate is the newest version of ISO standards that was released in September 2015 and has significantly more requirements than its former counterpart.

In order to achieve the ISO 9001-2015, TissUse has undergone a successful external audit, conducted by Dekra, which involved an extensive process and document review across all departments. This ISO standard ensures that TissUse products and services meet the highest customer needs through an effective quality management system.

“We are proud to be the first dedicated Organ-on-a-Chip company to be certified with the ISO EN 9001-2015, demonstrating our commitment to continuously improving our products, services and customer satisfaction. This success would not be possible without our dedicated TissUse team, who demonstrate the ability to deliver uncompromised quality and simultaneously embrace innovation. Earning the ISO EN 9001-2015 is also a sign to our partners that we operate under the highest quality standards”, says Dr Uwe Marx, CEO of TissUse.

TissUse Launches New Product Brand HUMIMIC

TissUse Launches New Product Brand HUMIMIC

Berlin, Germany, June 3rd, 2019

TissUse, the Berlin-based pioneers in Human-on-a-Chip developments, have launched their new product brand HUMIMIC. From now on, all of the company’s products will be marketed under this common brand.

As a result, TissUse GmbH’s products will have a uniform name and appearance under the HUMIMIC brand. This will make it even easier for customers to determine which product is right for their desired purpose.

“HUMIMIC” is a concept of art that combines the words “HUMAN” and “MIMIC”. It describes what our products can do – our unique, patented technology simulates the activity of multiple human organs in their true physiological context. As a result, HUMIMIC products can play a major role in improving, simplifying, and accelerating the development of pharmaceutical, chemical, and cosmetic products.

The HUMIMIC brand world is divided into three product groups: Devices, Chips, and Accessories. In the Device segment, the current HUMIMIC Starter model will soon be joined by the HUMIMIC AutoLab and HUMIMIC AutoPlant systems.

The Chips will adhere to a simple naming convention that always describes how many organ models can be combined – CHIP2 for up to two, CHIP3 for three, and CHIP4 for four organ models. With CHIPXX and CHIPXY, the company will soon be able to create a minimal, self-sustaining organ system for the very first time.

“By launching our new product brand, we have created a clear structure for both our customers and our employees – not only with respect to our tried-and-tested solutions, but also our exciting new products.  This makes HUMIMIC the perfect addition to the well-known TissUse brand,” explains Dr. Uwe Marx, Founder and CEO of TissUse.

About TissUsewww.tissuse.com

TissUse is a German biotech company based in Berlin that has developed a unique “Multi-Organ-Chip” technology which makes it possible to conduct preclinical, systemic safety and efficacy testing of substances using a combination of different human tissues. As a result, HUMIMIC products can play a major role in improving, simplifying, and accelerating the development of pharmaceutical, chemical, and cosmetic products.

 

Press contact TissUse GmbH:
Sarah Tremmel
Business Development Manager

TissUse GmbH
Oudenarder Str. 16
13347 Berlin
Germany

Tel.: 0049-30 513-026-400
Fax: 0049-30-513-026-401
E-mail: info@tissuse.com
Web: www.tissuse.com

TissUse grants first Smart Hair Transplant (SHT) License in Japan

TissUse grants first Smart Hair Transplant (SHT) License in Japan

Tokyo, Japan and Berlin, Germany, April 8, 2019

For the first time, TissUse has granted development and distribution rights of its existing Smart Hair Transplant (SHT) technology to J. Hewitt, a Japan-based biopharmaceutical company focused on creating transformative regenerative medicine for aesthetic surgery.

Under the terms of this agreement, TissUse grants J. Hewitt an exclusive license in Japan for the development of novel cell-based hair regeneration therapies leveraging TissUse’s SHT technology and expertise.

“We are excited to work with TissUse and the strategic license agreement is testament to our confidence in the value of the TissUse technologies. We look forward to a successful relationship with TissUse as we contribute to the further development of its SHT technology,” says Dr. Jon Knight, CEO of J. Hewitt.

“This agreement synergizes the complementary ideas, know-how and experience of both companies. We are very much looking forward to enhancing TissUse’s highly innovative SHT approach through this collaboration,” explains Dr. Uwe Marx, CEO of TissUse.

Technical and financial details of the collaboration were not disclosed.

About J. Hewittwww.jhewitt.co.jp

J. Hewitt was established in Tokyo in February 1977 as an importer and distributor of medical devices and equipment. A management buyout completed in July 2004 by Jon Knight, redirected the company’s focus as a world pioneer into the field of aesthetic regenerative medicine. Dr. Knight conceptualized and invented the use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for wrinkle augmentation and first in world use in humans for nasolabial folds, tear troughs, crow feet, and other facial wrinkles was performed in early 2005 and has been widely copied and is now a common therapy offered by most cosmetic surgeons and aesthetic dermatologists.

 

Press contact TissUse GmbH:
Sarah Tremmel
Business Development Manager

TissUse GmbH
Oudenarder Str. 16
13347 Berlin
Germany

Tel.: 0049-30 513-026-400
Fax: 0049-30-513-026-401
E-mail: info@tissuse.com
Web: www.tissuse.com

TissUse establishes a liver-endocrine tissues multi-organ model for risk assessment with Bayer

TissUse establishes a liver-endocrine tissues multi-organ model for risk assessment with Bayer

Berlin, September 2018. TissUse has signed a collaboration agreement with Bayer to develop a highly innovative liver-endocrine tissues assay using TissUse’s Multi-Organ-Chip (MOC) technology.

Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, TissUse will join forces with Bayer to develop a novel mechanistic in vitro assay that will allow assessment of species differences of critical toxicities for early development and registration.
Furthermore, the new assay is expected to significantly contribute to the 3R principles of animal welfare.

MOC-based liver-endocrine tissues assay to bridge the gap between animal and human safety assessment

The assessment of human relevance of certain toxicities observed in animal assays still represents a major challenge for the various areas of toxicology (human & veterinary drug candidates, agrochemicals and industrial chemicals). A recurring problem is thyroid or testicular toxicity that occurs in both crop protection, as well as human and veterinary drug development candidates. Answering whether toxicity findings in rodent lack human relevance as well as predicting human toxicities that are absent in rodent are key for risk assessment and regulatory success.

The project aims to establish a Multi-Organ-Chip based assay combining the target organs and liver in an integrated microfluidic system allowing for metabolic and endocrine interaction. This will enable researchers to differentiate between direct effects on the target tissues and indirect effects mediated by liver activation using an in vitro assay.

“We are thrilled to start this new collaboration which will address a fundamental area of unmet need in safety assessment,” says Dr. Uwe Marx, CEO of TissUse. “We already have a long-standing relationship with Bayer and this new project will enable the development of an assay with potentially great predictive power for Bayer across divisions and businesses.”

About the Multi-Organ-Chip (MOC) technology

TissUse proprietary commercial MOC technology platform is a microfluidic microphysiological systems platform capable of maintaining and culturing miniaturized organ equivalents emulating the biological function of their respective full-size counterparts over long periods. Major features of living biology such as pulsatile fluid flow, mechanical and electrical coupling, physiological tissue-to-fluid and tissue-to-tissue ratios are incorporated. This supports the development of a large variety of substance test assays ranging from acute and repeated dose toxicity to long-term disease treatment (efficacy). The technology allows for flexible and customized combination of different tissue constructs or organ equivalents on a disposable chip-based microphysiological system. The number of organ equivalents supported by the platform ranges from single organ culture up to an organ number supporting the study of complex organ interactions. First commercially available platforms support single-, two-, three and four-organ culture. Examples of organ models available at TissUse include: liver, intestine, skin, vasculature, neuronal tissue, cardiac tissue, cartilage, pancreas, kidney, hair follicle, lung tissue, fatty tissue, tumor models and bone marrow. Further organ models are being developed. The platform further comprises Control Units operating up to four MOCs simultaneously. These Control Units provide the flexibility needed to control and monitor any on-chip organ arrangement. Some of the existing models include different levels of immunocompetence such as immune cells in skin biopsies, Langerhans cells in full-thickness skin equivalents, hematopoietic progenitor cells in the bone marrow model and Kupffer cells in liver spheroids.

About TissUse

TissUse is a vibrant growth company, based in Berlin, Germany, which has developed a unique “Multi-Organ-Chip” platform that provides unparalleled preclinical insight on a systemic level using human tissues. This enabling technology platform consists of a miniaturized construct that closely simulates the activity of multiple human organs in their true physiological context. TissUse’s Multi-Organ-Chips provide a completely new approach to predict, for example, toxicity, ADME profiles and efficacy in vitro, reducing and replacing laboratory animal testing and streamlining human clinical trials.

TissUse’s Multi-Organ-Chips have been utilized in a large variety of applications including drug development, cosmetics, food and nutrition and consumer products since 2012.

 

Press contact TissUse GmbH:
Dr. Reyk Horland
VP Business Development

TissUse GmbH
Oudenarder Str. 16
13347 Berlin
Germany

Tel.: 0049-30 513-026-400
Fax: 0049-30-513-026-401
E-mail: info@tissuse.com
Web: www.tissuse.com

TissUse announces new partnership with leading pharmaceutical company to develop applications for its Multi-Organ-Chip platform in drug research and development

TissUse announces new partnership with leading pharmaceutical company to develop applications for its Multi-Organ-Chip platform in drug research and development

Berlin, March 2018. TissUse and Roche have signed a cooperating agreement to develop human-relevant in vitro assays based on TissUse’s Multi-Organ-Chip technology.

Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, TissUse will provide its Multi-Organ-Chip (MOC) technology as a highly versatile tool to develop in vitro assays to increase prediction of safety liabilities of drug candidates early on. During the three-year project phase, TissUse and Roche are combining their broad knowledge and expertise to establish assays for the assessment of lineage-specific hematopoietic toxicity and the evaluation of pharmacokinetics of therapeutic antibodies.

MOC-based assay for long-term repeated dose testing of lineage-specific haematotoxicity

In vitro assessment of potential haematopoietic toxicity of drug candidates is an important aspect in drug research and development. The project aims to establish an assay for long-term repeated dose testing of drug candidates in a dynamic bone marrow model to mimic in vivo dosing scenarios and aid modelling approaches. A second development phase will focus on combining the bone marrow model with a liver model in order to assess metabolic activation of candidates.

MOC-based antibody PK assay

Mechanisms contributing to the pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered pharmaceutical antibodies in the human body are not yet fully understood. The partners therefore aim to establish an assay for the in vitro assessment of key pharmacokinetic mechanisms of therapeutic antibodies. Major emphasis will be given to modelling the role of different cell types in modulating antibody clearance and intracellular trafficking.

“We are excited to form this long-term partnership which will address fundamental aspects of antibody kinetics and organ-specific NCE toxicity by applying our Multi-Organ-Chip technology,” says Dr. Uwe Marx, CEO of TissUse. “Combining several organ models in a circulatory system is the next necessary step to assess systemic toxicity and establish complex in vitro disease models in order to bring innovative medicine faster to the patient.”

About the Multi-Organ-Chip (MOC) technology

TissUse proprietary commercial MOC technology platform is a microfluidic microphysiological systems platform capable of maintaining and culturing miniaturized organ equivalents emulating the biological function of their respective full-size counterparts over long periods. Major features of living biology such as pulsatile fluid flow, mechanical and electrical coupling, physiological tissue-to-fluid and tissue-to-tissue ratios are incorporated. This supports the development of a large variety of substance test assays ranging from acute and repeated dose toxicity to long-term disease treatment (efficacy). The technology allows for flexible and customized combination of different tissue constructs or organ equivalents on a disposable chip-based microphysiological system. The number of organ equivalents supported by the platform ranges from single organ culture up to an organ number supporting the study of complex organ interactions. First commercially available platforms support single-, two-, three and four-organ culture. Examples of organ models available at TissUse include: liver, intestine, skin, vasculature, neuronal tissue, cardiac tissue, cartilage, pancreas, kidney, hair follicle, lung tissue, fatty tissue, tumor models and bone marrow. Further organ models are being developed. The platform further comprises Control Units operating up to four MOCs simultaneously. These Control Units provide the flexibility needed to control and monitor any on-chip organ arrangement. Some of the existing models include different levels of immunocompetence such as immune cells in skin biopsies, Langerhans cells in full-thickness skin equivalents, hematopoietic progenitor cells in the bone marrow model and Kupffer cells in liver spheroids.

About TissUse

TissUse is a vibrant growth company, based in Berlin, Germany, which has developed a unique “Multi-Organ-Chip” platform that provides unparalleled preclinical insight on a systemic level using human tissues. This enabling technology platform consists of a miniaturized construct that closely simulates the activity of multiple human organs in their true physiological context. TissUse’s Multi-Organ-Chips provide a completely new approach to predict, for example, toxicity, ADME profiles and efficacy in vitro, reducing and replacing laboratory animal testing and streamlining human clinical trials.

TissUse’s Multi-Organ-Chips have been utilized in a large variety of applications including drug development, cosmetics, food and nutrition and consumer products since 2012.

 

Press contact TissUse GmbH:
Dr. Reyk Horland
VP Business Development

TissUse GmbH
Oudenarder Str. 16
13347 Berlin
Germany

Tel.: 0049-30 513-026-400
Fax: 0049-30-513-026-401
E-mail: info@tissuse.com
Web: www.tissuse.com

TissUse reports progress made in collaboration with AstraZeneca to use Microphysiological Systems in the drug development process

TissUse reports progress made in collaboration with AstraZeneca to use Microphysiological Systems in the drug development process

Berlin, - TissUse continues their successful collaboration with AstraZeneca to establish relevant Microphysiological System (MPS) models based on TissUse’s Multi-Organ-Chip technology.

As part of the collaboration, the teams have explored the unmet need for a physiologically relevant human ex-vivo type 2 diabetes model.  The result was a human microfluidic two-organ-chip model to study pancreatic islet–liver cross-talk based on insulin and glucose regulation for up to 15 days in culture.  This work was recently published in Nature Scientific Reports (Bauer et al., 2017, doi:10.1038/s41598-017-14815-w). Dr Tommy Andersson of AstraZeneca will present the data at the 3D cell models congress in Berlin on 24-25 January 2018. 

TissUse and AstraZeneca continue to work together to further develop this into a comprehensive type 2 diabetes-on-a-chip model.

TissUse’s Multi-Organ-Chip technology emulates multiple interacting human organs on a device the area of a microscope slide to imitate the complex processes in the human organism over both short and long periods of time. This technology is envisioned to clarify how the human organism reacts to new medication, cosmetic substances or chemicals without expensive animal testing.

“Miniaturized human Multi-Organ systems are capable of generating crucial, unprecedented data during preclinical assessment of drug candidates and are expected to increase success rate in drug development. We are happy to be able to support AstraZeneca in their aim to bring innovative medicines to patients worldwide,” says Dr. Uwe Marx, CEO of TissUse.

There is great potential for the innovative multi-organ-chip technology to enhance our approaches in drug development. Our collaboration with TissUse enables us to utilise the technology to advance our understanding of the biological control in key unmet disease areas such as type-2 diabetes. We look forward to the results from the advanced model that is currently under development,” said Dr. Regina Fritsche-Danielson, Head of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases at AstraZeneca’s IMED Biotech Unit.

TissUse GmbH

TissUse is a vibrant Berlin, Germany-based, growth company, which has developed a unique "Multi-Organ-Chip" platform that provides unparalleled preclinical insight on a systemic level using human tissue. This enabling technology platform consists of a miniaturized construct that closely simulates the activity of multiple human organs in their true physiological context. TissUse's Multi-Organ-Chips provide a completely new approach to predict, for example, toxicity, ADME profiles and efficacy in vitro, reducing and replacing laboratory animal testing and streamlining human clinical trials.

TissUse's Multi-Organ-Chips are utilized in a large variety of industrial and academic applications since 2012.

TissUse is additionally applying its platform and know-how to develop spin-off programmes in a variety of tissue and organ repair areas, starting with the cosmetic market of hair transplants.

New joint research project investigates neurodegenerative aspects of Alzheimer's disease

New joint research project investigates neurodegenerative aspects of Alzheimer's disease

(Berlin, 05.09.17) The interdisciplinary consortium HiPSTAR tries to decipher the molecular mechanisms leading to Morbus Alzheimer. In particular, pathological alterations at the blood-brain-barrier are in the focus of this applied research project. The long-term goal of this collaborative effort is the development of new drugs and therapies targeting this predominant form of dementia. The project is coordinated by the University of Würzburg (Medical Faculty, Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, TERM), and TissUse GmbH, is a partner in the consortium. The German Ministry for Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF) funds this project with an overall budget of 1.7 million Euro.

 In order to decipher the molecular mechanisms leading to Morbus Alzheimer and associated changes at the blood-brain-barrier the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V., DLR) funds this interdisciplinary research project with an overall budget of 1.7 million Euro over a three year period.

The acronym HiPSTAR is short for “Human iPS Cell-based Blood-Brain Barrier Technology in Alzheimer Research“ and is coordinated by the Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM) of the University of Würzburg. The consortium consists of academic partners and small and medium sized enterprises (see below). HiPSTAR is part of the BMBF initiative “directive on the promotion of innovative stem cell technologies for individualised medicine”.

Working hypothesis: Altered blood-brain-barrier is a prerequisite for the development of Alzheimer´s

"The development of new drugs requires more detailed research and understanding of the exact causes of neuronal degeneration in the brain”, Dr. Marco Metzger explains. The coordinator of the HiPSTAR project at TERM continues: "In addition, we assume that an altered blood-brain-barrier plays an essential role in the development of Alzheimer's disease and also worsens the prognosis of the disease". The blood-brain-barrier is a protective barrier between the sensitive brain and the blood circulation.

Goal: Establishment of an in-vitro model of the blood-brain-barrier

The aim of the research project launched at the beginning of February this year is to develop a new in vitro model of the human blood-brain barrier specifically for Alzheimer's research. Dr. Metzger explains: "This model will serve as a research tool for the development of improved diagnostic methods, the identification of suitable target structures for treatment and the discovery of cellular mechanisms of the disease.” The cells required for the model either originate directly from Alzheimer's disease patients or are artificially generated in the laboratory using molecular genetic methods, so that they carry the known mutations of Alzheimer's relevant genes. By applying microfluidics to mimic vesicular blood flow and disease-specific molecules the laboratory setting will be customized to the “real” situation within the patient´s brain. The newly established models will be validated with approved and marketed drugs and compared to conventional models currently applied in pharmaceutical drug development. In addition, the researchers are also developing a computer-based model to identify cellular target structures and predict the effects and transport properties of drugs at the blood-brain barrier.

The HiPSTAR consortium consists of:

  • University Würzburg, Medical Faculty, Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM),
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biologie and Applied Ecology IME (ScreeningPort, Hamburg; www.ime.fraunhofer.de),
  • University Halle, Medical Faculty, Department for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine (www.uk-halle.de),
  • TissUse GmbH (Berlin, www.tissuse.com),
  • Pharmacelsus GmbH (Saarbrücken, www.pharmacelsus.de),
  • Insilico Biotechnology AG (Stuttgart, www.insilico-biotechnology.com),
  • Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) GmbH (Vienna/Austria; www.ait.ac.at).

The principle of producing blood-brain-barrier models from Alzheimer's disease patients: In the first step, cells from tissue biopsies of Alzheimer's disease patients are isolated. In a second step, these cells can be used to produce pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), which are differentiated in the laboratory into specialized cell types of the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain-barrier models produced from these cells are used by scientists to investigate the mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease and to develop appropriate treatment strategies. (Source: TERM)

About TissUse GmbH

TissUse is a vibrant Berlin, Germany-based, growth company which has developed a unique “Multi-Organ-Chip” platform that – for the first time ever – provides preclinical insight on a systemic level using human tissue. This enabling technology platform consists of a miniaturized construct that closely simulates the activity of multiple human organs in their true physiological context. TissUse’s Multi-Organ-Chips provide a completely new approach to predict, for example, toxicity, ADME profiles and efficacy in vitro, reducing and replacing laboratory animal testing and streamlining human clinical trials.

TissUse is additionally applying its platform and know-how to develop spin-off programmes in a variety of tissue and organ repair areas, starting with the cosmetic market of hair transplants.

ProBioGen grants a license for human lymph node technology to TissUse for Multi-Organ-Chip applications

ProBioGen grants a license for human lymph node technology to TissUse for Multi-Organ-Chip applications

Berlin, 15.06.2017ProBioGen AG and TissUse GmbH have signed a license and cooperation agreement to integrate ProBioGen’s Human Artificial Lymph Node Model into the Multi-Organ-Chip technology of TissUse. With the Lymph Node Model direct effects of substances on the human immune system can be monitored. The Multi-Organ-Chip technology emulates multiple interacting human organs on a device, not larger than a microscope slide, to imitate the complex processes in the human organism over periods of up to two months. This technology is envisioned to explore how the human organism reacts to new medicines, cosmetic substances or chemicals without expensive animal testing. TissUse now licenses the patented Lymph Node Technology Platform (HuALN) from ProBioGen and thereby expands the range of applications of Multi-Organ-Chip technology to predictions of immune reactivity in interaction with other organs.

“The combination of ProBioGen’s unique HuALN model and our human Multi-Organ-Chip technology will in future initially allow for the analysis of immunological reactions of human organs on active substances. Disease mechanisms in systemic autoimmunological diseases, allergies and anti-tumoral reactions will be elucidated with such Multi-Organ-Chip systems,” explains Dr Uwe Marx, CEO of TissUse.

“This partnership will bring together two highly motivated teams with a wide scope of experience and comprehensive know-how. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration increasing the scope of applications for our artificial lymph node system to allow its use for even broader pharmaceutical applications,” says Dr Wieland Wolf, chairman of ProBioGen.

About ProBioGen AG www.probiogen.de

ProBioGen is a specialist in the development and manufacturing of complex therapeutic glycoproteins. Combining state-of-the-art development platforms together with intelligent product-specific technologies yields biologics with optimised properties.

Rapid and integrated cell line and process development, comprehensive analytical development and reliable GMP manufacturing is performed by a highly skilled and experienced team. All services and technologies are embedded in a total quality management system to assure compliance with international ISO and GMP standards (EMA/FDA).

ProBioGen has been operational for more than 20 years and is based in Berlin, Germany.

About the Human Artificial Lymph Node (huALN) Model

www.probiogen.de/innovative-technologies/human-immunogenicity-immunofunction.htm

The proprietary and unique Human Artificial Lymph Node Model (HuALN) was developed by ProBioGen as superior 3D micro-organoid model for analysing substance effects on the human immune system in vitro. It is based on a patented, miniaturised and perfused bioreactor for the long-term cultivation of immune cells. Human blood-derived dendritic cells, T and B lymphocytes and mesenchymal stem cell-derived stromal cells are inoculated into the bioreactor’s 3D hydrogel matrix, which is perfused with cell culture medium and aerated, just as in a real human lymph node. Upon antigen-stimulation, the cells self-organise into immune-competent micro-organoid structures within the 3D matrix. The perfused bioreactor is typically operated for four weeks and, thus, allows multiple and repeated exposure of the immune cells to the test compounds.

This innovative technology predicts drug-related effects – wanted or unwanted – on the human immune system. The HuALN Model allows the specific investigation of immunofunction, such as immunomodulation, immunogenicity and immunotoxicity, in vitro. A broad range of substance classes, from small molecules, proteins and peptides to nucleic acids, can be tested, covering biopharmaceuticals, vaccines and cosmetics.

The read-outs are on the T and B cell level, looking specifically at cytokine profiles, cell surface makers, cell proliferation, IgM and IgG secretion, anti-drug antibodies (ADA formation) and functional cell tests.

The huALN technology is offered by ProBioGen as a service and can be licensed to third parties

About TissUse Gmbh

TissUse is a vibrant Berlin, Germany-based, growth company which has developed a unique "Multi-Organ-Chip" platform that - for the first time ever - provides preclinical insight on a systemic level using human tissue. This enabling technology platform consists of a miniaturized construct that closely simulates the activity of multiple human organs in their true physiological context. TissUse's Multi-Organ-Chips provide a completely new approach to predict, for example, toxicity, ADME profiles and efficacy in vitro, reducing and replacing laboratory animal testing and streamlining human clinical trials.

TissUse is additionally applying its platform and know-how to develop spin-off programmes in a variety of tissue and organ repair areas, starting with the cosmetic market of hair transplants.

 

Press contact:

Reyk Horland
TissUse GmbH
Vice President Business Development
Tel: +49 30 513-026400
Fax: +49 30 513-026401
E-Mail: info@tissuse.com

Dr. Gabriele Schneider
ProBioGen AG
Vice President Business Development
Tel: +49 30 924006-0
E-Mail: cmo@probiogen.de

NIFDC to set up Multi-Organ-Chip technology in China

TU Berlin and National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) China extend their cooperation in regulatory science.

Berlin, 4 October 2016 – Development cycles in the markets are accelerating. Regulatory authorities worldwide continuously face the challenge of declaring new drugs, cosmetic ingredients and food products as harmless to health. They make their decisions based on data provided by manufacturers. However, frequent setbacks in clinical studies prove how inadequate these data can be. Since 2014, the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) China rely on regulatory science and early control in the approval process. TU Berlin now enables NIFDC to engage even more in the scientific aspect of the approval process as both organisations have extended their cooperation to six years. The first Chinese scientists recently finished their training in the operation of Multi-Organ-Chips (MOC) in Berlin. Now the technology will be transferred to China, where the scientists of the institute will be trained to independently execute tests.

“This makes NIFDC the first authority in the world to test the Multi-Organ-Chips independently and to use this technology with self-established assays to intervene in the development cycle”, explains Uwe Marx, inventor of the technology and CEO of TissUse GmbH founded as a spin-off of the TU Berlin in 2010.

The Multi-Organ-Chip technology currently makes it possible to replicate up to four human organs, scaled down 100,000 times, from cell tissue on a microscope slide. They are connected to each other with a system similar to blood vessels. Micro valves replicate the heart and the cell structures react to administered substances just like a human organism.

Experiments for testing new drugs, cosmetic ingredients and chemicals thereby do not need animal testing any more and developers as well as regulatory authorities can test how humans react to specific substances over longer periods of time. According to Marx, the use of human cells also allows the results to be transferred more easily than data from animal testing.

About TU Berlin

The Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) is one of the oldest technical universities in Germany. With more than 32,000 students in 100 degree programmes, the university ranks among the largest universities in Germany. In addition to the university’s faculties and institutes, there are numerous collaborative research centres and major research networks. More than 177 million Euro in third-party funding were acquired by TU Berlin in 2015.

Technische Universität Berlin
Office of Press, Public Relations and Alumni
Straße des 17. Juni 135
10623 Berlin
Germany

Phone: +49 (0)30 314 23922 or -22919
Fax: +49 (0)30 314 23909

About NIFDC

National Institutes for food and drug Control (NIFDC), founded in 1950, is a subordinate agency of the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) and there are more than 50 departments and divisions within NIFDC. The main professional areas of NIFDC cover pharmaceutical products, biological products, medical devices, food, healthy food, Cosmetic, reference standards, laboratory animals, and drug safety evaluation etc. More than 800 different testing items could be performed in NIFDC. Each year, more than 13,000 batches of drugs are tested in NIFDC and more than 2,900 reference standards are distributed by NIFDC. Currently, there are more than 1000 employees including 800 technical staffs and more than 9800 modern testing instruments and equipment in NIFDC, with the total asset value of more than 400 million RMB.

About TissUse

TissUse is a Berlin, Germany-based, vibrant growth company who has developed a unique Multi-Organ-Chip platform that – for the first time ever – provides preclinical insight on the systemic level using human tissue. This enabling technology platform consists of a miniaturized construct that closely simulates the activity of multiple human organs in their true physiological context. TissUse's Multi-Organ-Chips provide a completely new approach to predict, for example, toxicity, ADME profiles and efficacy in vitro, reducing and replacing laboratory animal testing and streamlining human clinical trials.

TissUse is additionally applying its platform and know-how to develop spin-off programs in a variety of tissue and organ repair areas starting with the cosmetic market of hair transplants.

 

Press contact:
Dr Reyk Horland
VP Business Development

TissUse GmbH
Oudenarder Str. 16
13347 Berlin
Germany

Phone: 0049-30-5130264-11
Fax: 0049-30-5130264-01
E-Mail: reyk.horland@tissuse.com
Web: www.tissuse.com

Multi-organ-chips revolutionize drug testing

TissUse presents technologies at the WC9-congress in Prague

Spreenhagen (near Berlin), 13 August, 2014. TissUse is a German, Berlin-based, vibrant growth company providing high-value services in the area of tissue culture analysis of drug candidates, cosmetics and chemicals. TissUse is presenting its new products and prototypes based on its proprietary technology platform at the “9th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences” from August 24 to 28 in Prague. This “human-on-a-chip” platform enables the testing of drugs or chemicals on a set of miniaturized human organs emulating the biology of the human organism at the smallest possible biological scale. In the future, it will be possible, for example, to significantly reduce the number of animals used in pharmaceutical research and to substitute current alternative methods to animal testing.

Dr. Uwe Marx, founder and CEO of TissUse GmbH, is going to address the current developments and applications of the technology during a keynote speech at the WC9-Congress. TissUse launched its two-organ-chip in 2013. The platform has been successfully applied in more than 20 different academic and industrial research projects. One of the globally renowned collaboration partner is Beiersdorf . Any new chip design serving specific customer needs in organ arrangement can be prototyped and produced within two months due to a proprietary rapid prototyping procedure established at TissUse. The technology offers a broad range of commercial and scientific applications.

“Design and development of new Chips are ongoing. Our latest research focus is based on the four-organ-chip prototype”, says Uwe Marx. This means that four independent organs on a chip interact on a physiological level. “The development of a ten-organ-chip is expected to be completed by 2017. Our approach could revolutionize drug development.” In addition to the keynote lecture, the technology platform will be prominently featured in a further presentation and seven posters. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the development team at the TissUse exhibition booth or at the various posters. Furthermore, a four-organ-chip prototype will be exhibited at the booth.

About the technology

A dynamic two-organ-chip has been established for the simultaneous cultivation of two different cell types in a common media perfusion circuit at a miniaturized scale. Cells or tissues can be applied both into the two culture spaces on standard Transwell inserts to model biological barriers, such as intestine epithelia, or onto matrix supports to mimic the three-dimensional environment of parenchymal organs, such as the liver. The on-chip micropump and microfluidic channels interconnect these organs and provide lifelike behaviour. This enables the direct prediction of effects of chemicals and their metabolism on near real-life models.

About TissUse

TissUse, a 2010 spin-off from the Technische Universität Berlin, has developed a unique chip-based tissue culture platform, enabling the testing of drugs or chemicals on a set of miniaturized human organs (organoids) simulating the biology of the human organism. The TissUse management reflects a mixture of industry experience and deep scientific know-how in the many areas of science underlying the multidisciplinary micro-organoid technology. The company collaborates extensively with the Technische Universität Berlin, Fraunhofer IGB, Fraunhofer IWS, University of Würzburg, and other academic institutions. TissUse is additionally applying its platform and know-how to develop spin-off programmes in a variety of tissue and organ repair areas, starting with the cosmetic market of hair transplants.

Contact TissUse

Dr. Uwe Marx
TissUse GmbH
Oudenarder Str. 16
13347 Berlin
Germany

Phone: +49(0)30-314-27911
E-Mail: uwe.marx@tissuse.com

TissUse obtains patents from the TU Berlin

Ownership of patent portfolio enables commercial production of multi-organ-chips

Spreenhagen (near Berlin), 30 August, 2013. TissUse GmbH today announced the signing of a transfer agreement with the Technische Universität (TU) Berlin. With this, five patent families for the production, application and automation of multi-organ chips are fully transferred to TissUse GmbH, the TU Berlin spin-off company founded in 2010. The biotech company produces models of human organs for preclinical drug testing based on this patented technology. The patent transfer allows TissUse the unlimited full development of the multi-organ chips and their commercial application.

“We thank the TU Berlin for the constructive negotiations for the transfer of the patents,” said Dr. Uwe Marx, CEO of TissUse GmbH. “The collaboration with the TU Berlin has proven to be excellent for our young company and will continue.” The patents were developed within the framework of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funded GO-Bio Project at the TU Berlin. TissUse has had access to the technology since 2010 through an option and license agreement with ipal Gesellschaft für Patentverwertung Berlin mbH (Association for Patent Exploitation).

The multi-organ chip technology makes it possible to carry out chemical and pharmaceutical tests on individual or related human mini organs (organoids). In this way, the validity of preclinical testing can be increased in the future compared to the current animal experimentation conducted, and the failure rate in clinical trials on humans in the pharmaceutical industry can be reduced. So far, about 20 academic and industrial research institutions have tested the two-organ chip, which is ready for production. Within two months, TissUse will be producing tailor-made two-organ models to fulfil the needs of specific research projects. The potential applications, however, range much further: “As a next step, we have embarked on the development of a four-organ chip,” commented Uwe Marx. “Our development has a bright future – especially with the full use of the patents within TissUse.”

TissUse has also, at the same time, received an exclusive license for a promising cell therapy to combat hair loss, which was developed by the same department of the TU Berlin. “We are carrying out first clinical testing of this therapy with hair transplant centres worldwide,” said Marx.

About TissUse

TissUse GmbH is a spin-off company from the TU Berlin founded in 2010. It has developed a unique chip-based tissue culture platform enabling the testing of drugs or chemicals using a series of miniaturised and interconnected human organs (organoids) simulating the biology of the human organism. TissUse’ management team reflects a mixture of industry expertise and in-depth multidisciplinary scientific know-how concerning micro-organoid technology. The company works closely with the TU Berlin, Fraunhofer IGB, Fraunhofer IWS, Würzburg University and other academic institutions. TissUse is also applying its platform and industry-specific knowledge to develop other spin-off programmes in a variety of tissue and organ repair areas, beginning with the cosmetic market for hair transplants.

Contact TissUse

Dr. Uwe Marx
TissUse GmbH
Oudenarder Str. 16
13347 Berlin
Germany

Phone: +49(0)30-314-27911
E-Mail: uwe.marx@tissuse.com