Realizing the Dream: Improving clinical translation in drug discovery through early incorporation of human biology while reducing the dependence on animal testing.

Successfully traversing the Translational Valley of Death from early preclinical screens to clinical trials and ultimately to the clinic has long been a pinch point in drug discovery. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology is now making this dream a reality; from early detection of translatable adverse events to recapitulating integrated multi-cellular and system-level biology for effective pre-clinical discovery. IPSC technology is also delivering on the opening provided by the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 for streamlined, and potentially animal-free, therapeutic development. Real-world examples include the many clinical trials that have incorporated iPSC technologies as well as trials that have used iPSC technology to bypass animal testing.

FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Incorporated (FCDI) is the world’s leader in delivering human iPSC-based platforms for drug discovery. Through iPSC technology, genetic engineering, and assay ready screening tools, FCDI brings patient biology and disease modeling to the early discovery pipeline. This presentation will highlight FCDI’s cardiac, neural, and immune system platforms and provide data- and case study-driven examples demonstrating how these tools are being implemented to improve discovery and clinical translation.

Data will be presented that highlights translationally relevant screening and investigative platforms including (but not limited to) 2D monocultures, advanced 3D multi-cellular co-cultures, and microphysiological systems across cardiac, neuroimmune, neurovasculature, and blood brain barrier environments that closely mimic the native biology. All in all, attendees will leave the seminar with firm understanding of FCDI’s iPSC platforms and how their modular nature can be implemented across therapeutic areas to ensure translational success and meet the demands for faster development of safer and more effective drugs.