Cages of lab mice is seen in this photo provided by the Gyeonggi Business & Science Accelerator.
SEOUL, May 15 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean biotech companies are seeking alternative solutions in organoids amidst increasing opposition to animal testing.
Organoids are three-dimensional replicas of organs or tissues artificially created by culturing cells derived from human bodies.
Organoid science focuses on developing treatments for incurable diseases based on organoid models of human organs and specific diseases.
Next & Bio Inc. is conducting research on organoid models, including those based on samples from pancreatic cancer and biliary tract cancer patients.
Mepsgen Co. is currently developing a chip that replicates human organs. This chip offers the advantage of mass production compared to organoids.
However, some experts have pointed out that organoids cannot completely replace animal experiments.
“Organoids lack living organisms, blood vessels, and immune systems, making it impossible for them to dynamically respond to drugs,” an industry expert said.
In light of these concerns, South Korea’s health authorities are pushing to establish various systems.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is working towards standardizing methods for evaluating the toxicity of medicines using organoids.
Additionally, the ministry plans to revise regulations for vaccine approval to reduce the number of quality certificate submissions obtained through animal testing.
Previously, these certificates were required at both the final solution stage and the finished medical product stage.
The revision aims to streamline the process by requiring only one submission at the final solution stage.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has also announced a plan to support technological advancements, such as organoid culturing and the development of blood vessels and lymphatic systems, through collaboration with other ministries.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
