CN Bio wins £180,000 funding to advance animal-free pharmacokinetic testing
From LaboratoryNews
CN Bio has been awarded £180,000 from Innovate UK to develop a more human-relevant approach to pharmacokinetic (PK) testing in drug development. The project aims to improve understanding of how potential medicines are absorbed, distributed, processed and cleared by the body, while reducing dependence on animal studies.
Working with the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, CN Bio will combine organ-on-a-chip data with physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling. This approach is designed to translate laboratory findings into predictions that can be interpreted in a clinical setting.
The work builds on CN Bio’s dual-organ Gut/Liver microphysiological system, which recreates key aspects of human tissue biology. The company will also explore adding a kidney model to assess renal clearance and other processes involved in drug excretion.
The initiative supports the UK Government’s target to reduce the use of dogs and non-human primates in dedicated PK studies by 35% by 2030. CN Bio will also investigate automation and work with contract research organisations to help create a standardised, scalable workflow for wider industry adoption.
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