An integrated upper GI model of digestion and absorption - the commercial 'Holy Grail'
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Inst for Cell and Molecular Biosciences
Abstract
Modelling the processes of digestion, nutrient uptake and drug absorption in the laboratory reduces the need to carry out expensive and controversial studies in animals and humans. We aim to develop a fully integrated lab model of digestion and absorption to screen and develop new drugs and health interventions. The commercial need in the pharmaceutical industry for this model has been identified during a BBSRC Enterprise Fellowship and validated through independent market research funded by a BBSRC Pathfinder award, and we have applied for a patent of this technology. This integrated model has been described as the 'Holy Grail' and would allow food and pharmaceutical companies to carry out affordable screening and development studies to inform product development and drug discovery. This would significantly reduce the high costs of drug development. Furthermore an effective, validated model of digestion would reduce the need for a great number of animal studies.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Jeff Pearson (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Wilcox MD
(2021)
The effect of seaweed enriched bread on carbohydrate digestion and the release of glucose from food.
in Journal of functional foods
Al-Momani H
(2024)
Enhanced Efficacy of Some Antibiotics in the Presence of Silver Nanoparticles Against Clinical Isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Recovered from Cystic Fibrosis Patients
in International Journal of Nanomedicine
Stanforth K
(2024)
The MUC2 Gene Product: Polymerisation and Post-Secretory Organisation-Current Models
in Polymers
| Description | We have developed the integrated small-intestinal model as specified in the project plan. The model has been used in a number of commercial projects, and is currently being validated with a library of compounds that have human absorption data. A gastric damage model has also been developed to test new and reformulated Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID). This model has also been used in several commercial projects, demonstrating the protective properties of mucus. We have developed a cell based model protected by the mucus layer to investigate, closer to the in vivo situation of drug absorption. This model has been described by Ann Taylor-Hutchinson of Oxford PharmaScience "Using the integrated gastric model to assess gastric damage has been very valuable to our research and development pipeline. Our interest has been in assessing the effect of our formulations on the epithelia in relevant Gl secretions with a mucus barrier present. This has been very useful to us." A spin out company Aelius Biotech has been developed to aid in the commercialisation of these models and is trading. The company website is; - www.aeliusbiotech.co.uk/ |
| Exploitation Route | The model is being used by a number of pharmaceutical companies, and is being made available as a contract research service. This service forms the basis of a contract research spin-out from Newcastle University. The spin out company is trading and registered at companies house. Further customers are being sought. The model is being well received by industry with the following testimonials Jon Farrimond. Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Suntory Beverage and Food (Europe) "We have worked with Aelius Biotech on the development of two products that have gone to human trials to support EFSA health claims and have seen the value that reliable in vitro models can provide. The model has helped us make numerous key decision and investments. I am sure these models will be used by industry to accelerate and improve product development." Dr Craig Rose. Managing Director Seaweed & Co. "Working with Aelius and their human gut model proved to be an extremely cost effective way to run trials on our products. This data guided future research for human trials, as well as giving highly relevant and credible results for scientific publications and commercial successes." |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Environment Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| URL | http://www.aeliusbiotech.co.uk |
| Description | This model is being used by pharmaceutical and food companies on a contract research basis. A spin-out company from Newcastle University has been developed. Aelius Biotech has been registered at companies house this company will uses the models developed in this grant. In particular the small intestinal absorptive model. Building on from this project, the spin out company, Aelius Biotech, has grown and is employing staff. The technology and the models that were produced via this project have been further developed and new intellectual property around the mucus barrier is being filed. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Environment,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Title | Integrated small intestinal model |
| Description | The pathfinder award allowed us to understand the market need for an absorptive gastrointestinal model. With this we applied for follow on funding, and developed the first cell culture model capable of integrating a mucus barrier and digestive fluids. |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - in vitro |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The developed model has been used in commercial projects to assist drug development with Boehringer Ingelheim, Oxford Pharmascience and Suntory |
| Title | Model Gut System |
| Description | The system mimics the chemical and enzymatic digestion taking place in the upper digestive tract of a human, from the mouth to the end of the small intestine. |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - in vitro |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This tool was used to screen numerous bioactive compounds and correctly predict the outcomes of the clinical trial based on them. |
| URL | http://www.ncl.ac.uk/business/commercialisation/transfer/biomedical-sciences/mgs.htm |
| Description | Capsugel |
| Organisation | Capsugel |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Commercial work Drug delivery |
| Collaborator Contribution | Commercial contract |
| Impact | Commercial work/drug delivery |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Oxford Pharmascience |
| Organisation | Oxford Pharmascience |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Commercial research Drug delivery |
| Collaborator Contribution | Commercial research |
| Impact | IP Generation |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Suntory |
| Organisation | Suntory Holdings Limited |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Several commercial projects totalling £50,000+Functional food research |
| Collaborator Contribution | Paid for services |
| Impact | IP Generation |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Title | PURIFIED MUCUS |
| Description | The present invention relates to a purified, biocompatible mucus, which has the ability to form a gel. The mucus of the invention may be provided in a tissue model, with a cell population. The mucin or tissue model of the invention may be useful in an in vitro model of digestion, mucus permeation and/or epithelial transport. |
| IP Reference | WO2023209397 |
| Protection | Patent / Patent application |
| Year Protection Granted | 2023 |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | This technology has allowed the accurate modelling of digestion and absorption of the human digestive tract together, for the first time. |
| Company Name | Aelius Biotech |
| Description | Aelius Biotech develops models of parts of the human body for research purposes. |
| Year Established | 2018 |
| Impact | Data from the MGS showed that alginate is released in the small intestinal phase- the major site of lipase activity and significantly reduced fat digestion. The in vitro data built a solid evidence base for subsequent in vivo human studies. After a successful acceptability study a pilot human proof of principle study then went on to demonstrate that alginate bread can reduce the level of circulating triglycerides in plasma after a meal as well as significantly increase the level of fat in ileal effluent. Jon Farrimond. Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Suntory Beverage and Food (Europe) - "We have worked with Aelius Biotech on the development of two products that have gone to human trials to support EFSA health claims and have seen the value that reliable in vitro models can provide. The model has helped us make numerous key decision and investments. I am sure these models will be used by industry to accelerate and improve product development." Aelius Biotech has received £2 million pounds in investment to date. |
| Website | http://aeliusbiotech.co.uk |