PMI and TissUse have signed a collaboration agreement to utilise PMI’s InHALES technology in combination with TissUse’s proprietary multi-organ-chip (MOC) platform to enable inhalation exposure of functional human tissues in homeostasis at minute scale in vitro.
The two partners plan to develop an integrated human aerosol test platform. PMI’s InHALES platform mimics the architecture and characteristics of the human respiratory tract (InHALES) while TissUse’s MOC platform enables functional human tissue response in vitro.
A plug&play interface between the two technologies is aimed to allow physiologically relevant exposure to complex aerosols in the background of an in vivo-like organization and breathing performance of the human lungs. The integrated test platform will allow acute and subchronic tests on lung models in combination with miniaturised human liver equivalents, the companies say, enabling assessment of local effects on the biological barrier of lung epithelia, penetration of substances into blood circulation, and eventual systemic effects. Altogether, the combined platform will provide a predictive model for assessing respiratory toxicity and systemic human effects of inhaled aerosols and their constituents, such as environmental toxins, smoke particles, airborne pathogens, and inhalable medications.
“The agreement meets PMI’s ambitions to extend its competence in aerosol applications to the development of new methods for exploratory research and translational sciences, which will not only help advance the research & development of PMI products but also broadly support biomedical research beyond PMI’s core business,” said Dr Julia Hoeng, Global Head Discovery, Philip Morris International.
“This agreement synergises the complementary ideas, know-how and experience of both companies. We are very much looking forward to enhancing TissUse’s highly innovative product and assay portfolio through this collaboration,” said Dr Reyk Horland, CEO of TissUse.