Microphysiological Systems In Drug Discovery: Does One Size Fit All?

Dr. Abhinav Sharma begins with an introduction to AbbVie, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing drugs for immune-related indications, oncology, and neuroscience.  

The core of the presentation discusses the implementation of complex in vitro models, specifically microphysiological systems (MPS), which mimic the biochemical and mechanical properties of organs. These systems hold promise for understanding disease mechanisms and improving drug development efficiency. Tissue engineering is a key component, combining scaffolding to recreate 3D organ architecture with regulatory signals and relevant cell types. Dr Sharma explains the significance of mechanical forces in organs, such as blood flow, stretch, and compression, and how these can be replicated in vitro. The presentation details various approaches to incorporating flow and shear stress into in vitro systems, including syringe pumps, peristaltic pumps, and plate formats. 

Dr Sharma then focuses on three organ systems: the colon, skin, and alveolar epithelial barrier. For each system, Dr Sharma describes the methods used to replicate healthy and disease states, including the use of commercial platforms like MIMETAS and the development of specific cocktails to induce cell death. 

The presentation concludes with a reflection on the potential and versatility of microphysiological systems (MPS) in drug development. Dr Sharma emphasizes that while the question of whether "one size fits all" remains, MPS platforms can indeed be adapted to a wide range of applications within the industry. This adaptability is crucial for addressing various research questions and building complexity based on specific contexts of use. Sharma highlights the importance of collaboration and support from team members and the company, AbbVie, in advancing these efforts.  

In summary, the conclusion underscores the promise of MPS platforms in enhancing the understanding of disease mechanisms and improving the efficiency of drug development. It also acknowledges the ongoing efforts to optimise these systems for different organ models and applications, ultimately aiming to provide more physiologically relevant data for therapeutic testing and development.