A new collaboration between TNO, Proefdiervrij, and pharmaceutical company Galapagos, called MechPath, is accelerating the transition to animal-free drug development. By combining patient data, lab-based human cell models, and artificial intelligence, the MECHanistic PATHology (MechPath) approach allows researchers to identify patterns and make reliable predictions without relying on animal testing.
Key results so far:
Human cells used in lab models appear to retain a “disease memory,” continuing to respond as if they were still in the body, offering more realistic models for conditions like fibrosis.
The newly developed CELLS-PATH validation tools help lab-grown models gain approval faster, paving the way for wider adoption in drug research.
Read more here.
We recently hosted Tjerk Opmeer from the Ministry of Economic Affairs at Leiden Bio Science Park to share insights into building a shared investment agenda for Dutch biotech....
The first Works Council Community meeting at Leiden Bio Science Park tackled workplace conduct and culture through honest, practical dialogue. With HR and legal experts in the room, the session marked the start of a collaborative effort to foster safer, more respectful workplaces.
EMA visited Leiden Bio Science Park to explore how regulatory tools can better support early-stage innovation. The visit connected EMA representatives with local leaders across academia, investment, and biotech development for a forward-looking exchange on speeding therapies to patients.