Milton Keynes scientists develop 'real' 3D human lung to replace animal testing

Two scientists fromMilton KeynescompanyImmuONEhave developed a 3D human lung to wipe out the need for animal testing.

The model was grown in a laboratory from real lung cells and tissue and will be used by drug and cosmetic companies to test out their products.

Current safety assessments are typically based on animal testing, which is not accurate at predicting the impact on humans, or use human cells taken by lung-scraping, an invasive process that only provides tissue from the upper lung.

ImmuONE’s scientists Dr Abigail Martin and Professor Victoria Hutter have now raised £2m funding to expand so it can produce and supply the lung in a greater capacity.

They have secured backing from the MEIF Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund, which is managed by Mercia Ventures and part of theMidlands Engine Investment Fund(MEIF), Mercia’sEISfunds and Pioneer Group.

It will help pay for the company’s recent move to MK and also open a new laboratory in Stevenage.

ImmuONE enables companies developing new products such as drugs, chemicals or cosmetics to meet legal requirements by showing they are safe for consumption and wider use.

ImmuONE’s approach involved growing human lower lung tissue and immune cells in a laboratory to create a 3D model. This not only enables companies to avoid the use of animals but also allows them to test the impact of their products on the small airways and inflammation in the lung, providing results that are more reliable and reproducible.

The model was developed by Abigail during her PhD research at the University of Hertfordshire. She joined forces with Victoria, her supervisor, to set up the business in 2019. They now have around 20 customers globally including blue-chip chemical and consumer products companies. Since its launch two years ago, the biotech company has generated over £1m in revenue.

ImmuONE is now in talks with a string of other leading brands. The funding will enable it to expand capacity, continue its research and development, grow its team and create six new jobs.

Abigail said: “Having worked on drug development projects that involve animal testing, I’ve seen the difference that new drugs can make to patients’ lives. However, I felt there had to be a better way and set out to look for an alternative. Our model not only enables companies to move away from animal testing but also improves safety for patients too. We look forward to working with many more clients and scaling the business with a view to global expansion in the future.”

汉娜从麦西亚Tapsell企业说:“90% of drugs shown to be safe and effective in animals do not work as planned in humans, which is one reason for the high failure rate in drug discovery. With growing demand for more effective testing models and pressure from consumers to replace animal testing, ImmuONE fills a clear gap in the market. Abigail and Victoria have not only created a powerful innovation but also achieved remarkable success in building a fast-growing business.”

Mark Wilcockson from British Business Bank said: “This new MEIF investment in ImmuONE is a perfect example showcasing its commitment to supporting small businesses making strides in their respective sectors.“