Founded in the spring of 2023 and located in Basel, Switzerland, the Institute of Human Biology (IHB) creates next generation human-relevant models that predict patient biology to accelerate the development of transformative medicines. At the forefront of global biomedical research, the Institute integrates multidisciplinary expertise across three scientific cores: Exploratory Biology, Translational Bioengineering, and Computational Biology, 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.
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In Berlin, a major project project entitled “Der simulierte Mensch” (The Simulated Man) involves the 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, including biotechnology, materials science, medicine, immunology, machine learning, biochemistry, arts and social sciences.
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In February 2025, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) opened one of Europe’s most advanced organ-on-a-chip facilities: the Centre for Predictive in vitro Models (CPM). This center brings together over 100 academics and postdoctoral researchers to advance the development and application of complex in vitro models for basic research, drug development and preclinical testing.
A £7 million Doctoral Training Centre will also provide 60 PhD students with the skills they need to take these innovations forward. Their training will cover technical skills for designing, manufacturing and advancing organ-on-a-chip models, as well as understanding of the regulatory and policy frameworks needed to support their adoption.
The Center is dedicated to fostering strong collaborations and has already established an impressive network of over 60 industrial partners and 20 other non-academic organizations, including regulatory bodies, charities and funding agencies, including NC3R (National 3R Center).
Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, called the new facility a “significant opportunity” to strengthen the UK’s leadership in animal-free research: “Phasing out animal testing where possible is a clear goal of this government, and innovative methods, like organ-on-a-chip technology, are essential to delivering this ambition.”
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The new Utrecht-based Center for the Transition to Animal-Free Biomedical Research (CPBT, in Dutch: Centrum voor Proefdiervrije Biomedische TRanslatie) is a national center for the valorization and dissemination of animal-free innovations and expertise. It aims to improve and accelerate the transition of new biomedical innovations to patients and users, at lower costs and without the use of animals. This will lead to safer, more effective and better medicines, while reducing animal testing and creating new business opportunities. This center will allow the Netherlands to distinguish itself globally and realize its ambition of becoming a leader in animal-free innovation.
The initial transition projects will focus on ALS, cystic fibrosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatic diseases, asthma and obstructive lung disease.
The total budget available to the CPBT for the period 2025-2034 is 245 million euros. Of this, 124.5 million is an investment from the Dutch National Growth Fund.
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