Ideal for screening of compound and gene libraries, our model can help companies accelerate results and save money to assess the efficacy of drug-like molecules during the hit-to-lead or lead-optimization stage, to triage lead compounds. The model can also be used to discover and evaluate the up or down regulation of the target proteins or receptors of interest.

We can provide a wide range of custom designed studies incorporating biological and physiological analyses (e.g. Western Blot, PCR, ELISA, immunocytochemistry, etc.) of pre- and post drug treated 3D tissue.

In support of preclinical and clinical development efforts, our model can be used to identify a drug’s therapeutic window and conduct, optimize and refine efficacy studies to support successful IND filings and commencement of clinical studies.  Our dose response and dose ranging studies can help companies save time and money in the clinic with more precisely targeted trials.

Our validated culture system expresses a multitude of relevant biomarkers, proteins and receptors that are normally found in in vivo human retinal microvasculature. This provides the biologically relevant environment for researchers to validate the Mechanism of Action of their targets of interest using both normal and/or diseased tissue alongside their therapeutic. The model can be maintained under proper physiological conditions for weeks, making it amenable to long-term treatment protocols and validation.   

We fill the need for assays that can provide relevant insight into safety and toxicity issues early in the drug development process. Ocular safety and toxicity testing extends beyond pharmaceuticals to the wider range of chemicals, excipients and compounds that can impact human health.

This model can be customized to mimic tissue- or organ-specific vascular dysfunction that is relevant for the vascular diseases of interest including macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, amongst others.

Barrier permeability is dependent on 3 aspects:

1) Tight junction complexes (cell-cell contacts)

2) Paracellular diffusion

3) Transcellular endocytosis

The impact of pericyte on vascular permeability is mimicked in Humonix’s 3D BRB model by implementing human primary pericyte. This 3D tissue model is compatible with various assays, methods and techniques that can assess the barrier function. Markers related to barrier permeability such as CD31, MFSD2, ZO1 amongst others, are enhanced in the 3D BRB model compared to transwell-based cell cultures, allowing for more reliable and relevant barrier function analysis.