Myomaker Bio’s 3D Muscle Platform Aims to Replace Animal Testing
A spinout from Loughborough University has developed a three-dimensional human muscle tissue platform for preclinical drug testing, designed to improve the predictive value of early-stage safety and efficacy assessments by using human-derived tissues instead of animal models.
The platform replicates the structural and functional characteristics of native skeletal muscle, including organized contractile behavior. It utilizes primary human muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle. Satellite cells (muscle stem cells) are isolated, expanded, and suspended in a collagen-Matrigel matrix within 3D-printed frames.
Validation and Disease Modeling
Validation studies have demonstrated predictable morphological and functional changes using compounds such as leucine, insulin, testosterone, and Resolvin E1. The platform also supports disease models, including metabolic dysfunction induced by excess fatty acids and injury/regeneration using barium chloride.
"The platform has shown comparable toxic effects to animal models for known muscle-toxic compounds, providing confidence in human-relevant responses," said co-founder and CEO Professor Mark Lewis.
Scaling and Future Development
The company has received investment to scale production, expand assay types, and develop models for conditions such as muscular dystrophy and motor neuron disease. Lewis noted challenges in scaling production while maintaining reproducibility and in modeling complex multi-system diseases.
Industry Significance
The platform addresses key limitations of traditional animal models in predicting human outcomes, potentially accelerating drug development timelines and reducing risk for muscle-targeting therapies.