In 2023, Roche created the Institute of Human Biology (IHB), a research institute dedicated to innovation in the field of organoids, drawing on its expertise in biology, engineering and data analysis.

The institute bridges the gap between academic and pharmaceutical research, bringing together three poles: exploratory research, bioengineering and translational research, supported by state-of-the-art technology platforms.

“Organoids have the power to advance translational research and personalized medicine for the benefit of patients.” Hans Clevers, Head of Roche Pharma Research and Early Development

The institute brings together multidisciplinary teams with expertise in a wide range of disciplines (physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, computer science, etc.). Projects are divided between all the teams, which means that a team conducting exploratory research may choose to contribute to a project translational project, or that a translational core team may lead an project exploratory project.

Technology platforms include an organoid farm to improve and prototype organoid scale-up, and a tissue and organoid biobank.

The IHB is based in Basel, Switzerland, with additional satellite laboratory space in Schlieren, near Zurich.

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In Berlin, a major project project entitled “Der simulierte Mensch” (The Simulated Man) involves La Charité University of Medicine and the University of Technology. The Center is due to start research in 2025.

The aim is to simulate human physiology and pathophysiology in in vitro and in silico models for a better understanding of diseases, with the contribution of researchers, clinicians, engineers and data analysis specialists, without the use of animals.

The laboratories are organized into three levels: subcellular, cellular, and tissues + organs. Several technological platforms are in place: proteomics, genomics, cytometry, organoids and bioprinting, cellular and tissue imaging.

The aim is to integrate microfluidic models and bioprinted structures with automated analytical methods in high-throughput environments.

The project brings together a wide range of disciplines and research cultures, including biotechnology, materials science, medicine, immunology, machine learning, biochemistry, arts and social sciences.

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