"Animal testing has ethical issues. If we replace it with organoids, we can reduce animal sacrifice and increase accuracy."
Sumit Murab, a professor in the Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology at the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, said this during a video lecture on the theme "The Era of Animal Alternatives" at the Global Bio Conference held in Gangnam, Seoul, on the 5th. The event was organized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to share trends in biopharmaceutical development.
Organoids mean organ-like structures and are referred to as mini organs because stem cells that grow into all human cells are cultured into three-dimensional structures resembling organs. They can replace animal testing and treat damaged organs. According to market research firm Insight Partners, the global organoid market is expected to grow from $2.8 billion (3.9 trillion won) in 2023 to $10 billion (13.9 trillion won) by 2030.
Professor Murab noted, "Numerous animals are sacrificed in the early stages of new drug development." Typically, when developing a new drug, substances are repeatedly administered to animal eyes or skin to check for effects. Various animals, such as mice, pigs, and monkeys, are used in experiments, with industry estimates suggesting 200 million animals are sacrificed worldwide each year.
He stated, "Because animals are not humans, even if they succeed in animal testing, they can fail in human clinical trials," adding that "animal testing takes 4 to 5 years and is costly." He mentioned that "regulatory situations vary depending on the culture of the respective country," noting that "for instance, India considers monkeys sacred, so animal testing cannot be conducted on monkeys."
Professor Murab explained that organoids can solve these issues. He mentioned that organoids are more accurate than animal testing and can reduce the duration and expense of new drug development. He stated, "Cells cultivated in the laboratory are based on human cells, making them much more similar to humans than animals," and that "this significantly increases predictability."
Professor Murab said, "We can create disease-affected cells, such as those with osteoarthritis, using organoids or organs on a chip and determine which medications are effective," adding that "we can assess efficacy in the new drug development stage." Organ chips are made by creating microcircuits on a plastic substrate that allow bodily fluids or blood to flow, with organ cells placed within them. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that causes the cartilage in joints to wear away, leading to pain.
Previously, in April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed for a phased abolishment of animal testing in clinical trial stages and to replace it with organoids. Professor Murab observed that "not only in the United States but also in Europe and India, regulatory authorities are promoting similar trends" and that they are "accelerating research and development of organoids."