NGF initiatives Ombion, NXTGEN Hightech and Oncode Accelerator are jointly advancing human-relevant models

What are human-relevant models and why are they so important for the future of biomedical innovation?

“Human-relevant models, also known as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), are new research methods that can better predict how the human body responds to, for example, a medicine. Think of organoids, organ-on-a-chip technology and models based on artificial intelligence.

Traditional research methods do not always provide a good picture of what ultimately happens in the human body. Human-relevant models can represent an important step forward in this regard. They help researchers to better understand how a treatment works, to develop medicines more effectively and to reduce the risk of failure in later development stages.

Developments are moving fast and the possibilities are very promising. At the same time, we must ensure that these technologies not only work in a laboratory, but also become reliable and widely applicable in research and drug development.”

Technology is developing rapidly, but implementation sometimes lags behind. Where do you think the greatest challenge lies?

“The challenge does not lie exclusively in the technology itself. A model can be scientifically very interesting, but that does not automatically mean it is suitable for use in practice.

There are various challenges before an innovation can actually be deployed. Think of validation, standardization, regulation and manufacturability. It must also be clear how the results from these models can be interpreted and to what extent regulators accept these data when assessing medicines.

That calls for collaboration between different disciplines and stakeholders. You not only have to think about how you develop a technology, but also about what is needed to validate it, scale it up and ultimately get it accepted. If you only consider those steps afterwards, you run the risk that promising innovations will not get beyond the research phase.”

NXTGEN Hightech, Ombion and Oncode Accelerator each have their own expertise. Why is it important to combine these strengths in particular? 

“The three programs complement each other in an important way. Ombion focuses on the development, validation and adoption of human-relevant models and the technologies needed for them. Within NXTGEN Hightech, we work on the technological preconditions, infrastructure, standardization and quality systems that are needed to advance innovations towards industrial and clinical applications. Oncode Accelerator applies human-relevant models in the practice of early drug development, with among other things platforms for organoids, patient cohorts and artificial intelligence.

We therefore look at the same challenge from different perspectives. By bringing those perspectives together, a more complete picture emerges of what is needed to further support innovations. None of the programs can solve the entire issue on its own. It is precisely by connecting our expertise that we can take steps that are relevant to the entire Dutch biomedical ecosystem.”

How do you give concrete shape to this collaboration? 

“We want to better align the knowledge and activities of the three programs. We do this, among other things, by sharing knowledge and experiences and organizing joint outreach activities.

In addition, we are looking at how we can better coordinate existing adoption platforms and how we can contribute to a coherent Dutch framework for the development and acceptance of human-relevant models. The partners are also working towards a regulatory framework that enables new human-relevant models to be validated and accepted more quickly. Only when regulation keeps pace with technological developments can these innovations make their way into practice.

This is not only about organizing joint activities. Above all, we want to create connections between parties that need each other, but do not always naturally manage to find each other. By bringing together knowledge, infrastructure and expertise, we can reduce fragmentation and strengthen the ecosystem as a whole.”