Emulate and FUJIFILM Launch Brain-Chip R1 to Overcome Blood-Brain Barrier Challenges in CNS Drug Development
Key Insights
Emulate (search) and FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics (search) have launched the Brain-Chip R1 (search), a first-in-class isogenic model of the human neurovascular unit (search) designed to study blood-brain barrier (search) drug transport and neuroinflammation (search).
The platform integrates five human iPSC-derived cell types into a dynamic microenvironment, addressing the critical challenge that more than 99% of potential CNS therapies fail due to inadequate preclinical models.
The Brain-Chip R1 (search) offers ready-to-use cells and streamlined workflows that enable researchers to generate more robust, reproducible data for CNS drug candidates with enhanced human relevance.
Emulate (search), Inc. and FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics (search) have launched the Brain-Chip R1 (search), a groundbreaking platform designed to address one of the most significant challenges in neurological drug development: the blood-brain barrier (search) (BBB). The first-in-class isogenic model of the human neurovascular unit (search) offers researchers an unprecedented tool for studying drug transport across the BBB and investigating mechanisms of neuroinflammation (search).
Addressing Critical Gaps in CNS Drug Development
Central nervous system diseases (search) affecting the brain, including Alzheimer's (search) and Parkinson's (search), affect tens of millions worldwide, yet drug development remains severely hampered by the unique challenges of the brain. More than 99% of potential CNS therapies fail, in part because traditional animal models and static 2D cell cultures cannot faithfully recreate the complexity of the human BBB, leading to poor clinical translation.
"The Brain-Chip R1 (search) provides researchers with an innovative platform to model the complexities of the neurovascular unit (search)," said Dr. Lorna Ewart, Chief Scientific Officer at Emulate (search). "By integrating cutting-edge iPSC-derived cells from FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics (search) with the dynamic microenvironment of our Organ-Chips, researchers can evaluate drug transport and inflammatory mechanisms with unprecedented human relevance."
Advanced Cellular Architecture
The Brain-Chip R1 (search) integrates five isogenic human iPSC-derived cell types—neurons, microglia, astrocytes, pericytes, and proprietary brain microvascular endothelial cells—into a dynamic, fluidic microenvironment that replicates key aspects of the neurovascular unit (search). This model forms a tight, stable barrier with physiologically relevant transporter expression and maintains resting-state glia, enabling researchers to explore disease mechanisms, evaluate drug transport, and study neuroinflammatory responses with greater human relevance.
The platform incorporates FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics (search) iCell® GABANeurons, iCell Astrocytes 2.0 (search), iCell Pericytes (search), and iCell Microglia (search), along with Emulate (search)'s proprietary brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) manufactured by FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics. Emulate's Organ-on-a-Chip platform recreates the dynamic physiological conditions, such as fluid flow and shear stress, required to successfully co-culture these diverse cell types.
Streamlined Research Workflows
Ready-to-use isogenic cells and proprietary culture media streamline workflows, eliminate the need for time-consuming iPSC differentiation, and minimize variability. As a result, researchers can generate more robust, reproducible data faster, ultimately improving confidence in the clinical translation of CNS drug candidates.
"Our iCell® human iPSC-derived products provide unmatched consistency and the scalability needed to build microphysiological systems for discovery research," said Tomoyuki Hasegawa, President and Chief Executive Officer at FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics (search), Inc. "By partnering with Emulate (search), we've created a system that empowers researchers to overcome the limitations of traditional models and accelerate neurological drug discovery."
Comprehensive Laboratory Solution
The Brain-Chip R1 (search) is available as part of the Emulate (search) Brain-Chip R1 BioKit, which includes Organ-Chip consumables, pre-differentiated FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics (search) iCell® iPSC-derived cells including Emulate's proprietary BMECs, and Brain-Chip media. This integrated offering simplifies implementation, helping researchers rapidly advance their CNS studies with enhanced human relevance. The Brain-Chip R1 is compatible with Emulate's Zoë Culture Module platform.
The collaboration combines Emulate (search)'s expertise in Organ-on-a-Chip technology with FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics (search)' industry-leading iPSC manufacturing capabilities, providing the scalability and reliability needed to deliver robust, reproducible brain cells for pharmaceutical researchers seeking to advance CNS drug discovery.