#USA #Cambridge #AI Technology #Drug Safety #Tessel Biosciences

Tessel Biosciences Awarded $4.2 Million for Drug Safety Innovations

Tessel Biosciences, a pioneering company in the realm of drug development, recently announced a significant achievement: it has received a grant of up to $4.2 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). This funding is part of a contract awarded to the PREDICTS consortium, which aims to enhance drug safety through innovative research and technology. Tessel operates at the intersection of biology and artificial intelligence, utilizing virtual tissues that mimic the effects of drugs on human cells. This groundbreaking work could dramatically shift the landscape of drug testing by reducing reliance on animal models, a practice that has faced criticism for ethical reasons and efficacy concerns.

Led by Deep Origin, the PREDICTS consortium includes various esteemed organizations such as Ginkgo Bioworks, Netrias, and MIDO, along with respected product sponsors like ImmVue and Sanford Burnham Prebys. These collaborations allow Tessel to leverage collective expertise and cutting-edge approaches to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in drug safety.

With this funding, Tessel aims to develop and upscale primary human tissue models that represent critical biological barriers, such as the gut, kidney, and blood-brain barrier. These models will enable researchers to measure how drugs navigate through these essential physiological boundaries, generating pivotal data that supports better computational modeling of small molecule ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity) properties.

The Vision for Safer Therapeutics

Dr. Naren Tallapragada, CEO of Tessel Biosciences, expressed his enthusiasm regarding this award, stating, "This funding underscores the transformative potential of virtual tissues in human health. Our aim is to integrate sophisticated in vitro models with state-of-the-art AI to predict drug behavior across various organs and diseases without the ethical concerns associated with animal testing." This integration of wet lab experiments with computational analysis forms the crux of Tessel’s innovative approach, which they describe as “amphibious work.”

By advancing the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), Tessel intends to accelerate the development of safer drugs through simulation. These virtual tissue models not only support internal drug candidates but also have the potential to expand their platform for efficacy predictions significantly.

Tessel has already made remarkable advancements in their drug candidates targeted at lung diseases and chronic inflammation. The company’s work exemplifies a shift toward more humane and efficient practices in drug development, paving the way for breakthroughs in therapeutics that could improve patient outcomes globally. As the scientific community moves toward more integrated and predictive models, Tessel's efforts might be a game-changer for how the pharmaceutical industry approaches drug safety.

In conclusion, Tessel Biosciences is not merely placing bets on virtual technologies but is actively shaping the future of medicine through innovative approaches. Their commitment to reducing animal testing and focusing on precise, human-centered modeling positions them as a critical player in the healthcare landscape. With ARPA-H's support and collaboration from the PREDICTS consortium, Tessel stands ready to unlock new pathways in drug development, ensuring that future therapeutics are both effective and responsibly developed.