(SIRIM) Pocket Talk – Organ on Chip

Topic: Organ-on-Chip as an Alternative to Animal Testing in Pharmaceutical and Product Safety Evaluation

Organ-on-Chip (OoC) is a cutting-edge technology that recreates the way human organs function using tiny, lab-grown in-vitro models. These chips, made from human cells, allow scientists to test medicines and products in a way that closely mimics real human responses. OoC provides human-relevant data, improving drug efficacy, safety, and development timelines while reducing reliance on animal models.

Why is this important?

• More Accurate & Ethical – Mimics human responses better, reducing reliance on animal testing.
• Faster & More Reliable – Speeds up drug development with early, high-quality data.
• Supports Personalized & Precision Medicine – Uses patient-specific cells for tailored treatments with fewer side effects.
• FDA Recognition – Backed by the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, promoting regulatory acceptance.

Key Benefits of Organ-on-Chip in Preclinical Testing:

• Improves Drug Development & Safety: Helps identify potential risks early, reducing failures in human trials.
• Supports Personalised/Precision Medicine: Uses a patient’s own cells to test how well a treatment might work.
• Models Complex Diseases: Helps researchers study conditions like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.
• Reduces Animal Testing: Provides a more ethical and scientifically reliable alternative.
• Boosts Biopharmaceutical Innovations: Helps in the development of new therapies and tissue engineering.

SIRIM’s Role in Advancing Organ-on-Chip Technology

SIRIM Berhad is developing the Madani OoC Precision Medicine Lab to establish Malaysia as one of the leader in Organ-on-Chip technology for preclinical efficacy and safety testing. This initiative aims to:

• Ensure safe and effective pharmaceutical in compliance with industry standards.
• Collaborate with key players to advance pharmaceutical R&D regionally and globally
• Promote OoC adoption as part of a modern, ethical, and effective research strategy.

Name and Designation

Dr. Nurul Izza Nordin
Director, Life Sciences Centre, SIRIM Berhad, Malaysia