Rapid development of medical countermeasures that mitigate pandemic and other CBRN threats is a key mission of BARDA. Microphysiological Systems (MPS) or “tissue chips” are 3D models of human and animal tissue that could be applied to significantly accelerate the discovery and validation of vaccines and therapeutics.
The ImmuneChip+ Program is developing MPS with fully integrated immune system components to reproduce the pathology of infectious disease and exposure to other CBRN threats. The ultimate goal of this program is to position new 3D tissue models that faithfully recapitulate components of the human body as an integral part of the medical countermeasure development process. This includes efforts in platform standardization of critical components, biosensors, characterization, scaling and control over multi-tissue systems and finally, application of manufacturing processes.
Companies we have partnered with on this program to date
Rapid advances in tissue chip technologies make the prospect of commercialization more realistic. Faithful recapitulation of human histology and physiology under homeostatic and pathologic conditions in vitro is a key step to accelerating the pace of drug discovery and development: a necessary capability for effectively responding quickly to pandemics and other CBRN emergencies.
Automated platform manufacturing and integration of biosensors.
Integration of multiple human tissue types anchored by an immune system model.
Model of injury or disease due to exposure to a CBRN threat agent.
Biological evaluation of the MPS, recapitulation of existing clinical data.