Enabling tomorrow’s medicine: drug development

TNO is developing a range of technologies that span the entire drug development process.

The screening and selection techniques used in the discovery of active substances for new candidate drugs are steadily improving. This makes it possible to spotlight the development of disease, right down to the level of RNA, thus paving the way for the discovery of new targets.

Using models that reflect processes in humans with increasing precision, we can more accurately predict the potential effect of a drug in the preclinical phase. One such ‘translational model’ is the organ-on-a-chip. These models can improve the efficiency of animal testing, leading to a reduction in its use.

Technologies to accelerate in drug development

In the early stages of a trial’s clinical phase, TNO creates and implements technologies that provide insight into the efficacy and safety of specific drug candidates in humans, and that feature high information density. One example would be the use of microtracer studies, in combination with Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS). This provides detailed information on how a given substance is absorbed into the body and subsequently excreted. One tangible benefit of using AMS as a research tool is that it can shorten the development process for new drugs by two to three years.

For example, in the more advanced stages of drug development, TNO is working on 3D-printed oral dosage forms. This technology is paving the way for the development of tablets with unique properties, such as tunable release profiles or different release levels for each individual API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient). This facilitates the cost-effective, small-scale use of products during testing in the clinical phase, and their production after acceptance.

Get in touch

At which point in your product’s development process do you have the greatest need for innovative technologies? Do you have a question that cannot be resolved using current technologies? If so, then please get in touch.