The Business of Biofabrication

VivoSim Labs, a new initiative associated with Organovo, has launched a suite of services under the brand “NAMkind,” aimed at improving drug development through human-based predictive models. The company focuses on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), which include both engineered human tissue systems and in silico modeling, to offer alternatives to traditional animal testing.

VivoSim develops microliver and microintestine tissues derived from human cells, which are used to simulate key aspects of human biology in the lab. These models are designed to help pharmaceutical and biotech partners assess liver toxicity and gastrointestinal side effects earlier in the drug development process. According to the company, current reliance on animal models results in high failure rates in clinical trials—approximately 92% of drug candidates tested only in animals do not succeed in humans.

Key offerings from VivoSim Labs include:

NAMkind Liver Models

• In silico liver toxicity prediction based on microtissue-derived datasets
• 3D liver screening tools for structure-activity relationship (SAR) and lead optimization
• Mitochondrial toxicity testing
• Bile salt export pump (BSEP) and bile acid toxicity evaluations

NAMkind Intestinal Models

• In silico prediction of diarrhea risk (in development)
• In vitro assays for diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and abdominal pain
• Quantitative analysis of epithelial barrier integrity in human intestinal epithelium

The company is also developing AI and machine learning platforms trained on clinical and preclinical data to enhance predictive accuracy.

VivoSim’s leadership includes Executive Chairman Keith Murphy, who previously founded Organovo, along with Curtis Tyree, Ph.D. (Executive Chairman), Norman Staskey (Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development), and a board comprising Adam K. Stern, Alison Milhous, David Gobel, and Doug Cohen.

The company’s stated goal is to support more accurate early-stage decision-making in drug development by providing tools that may reduce clinical trial failures linked to toxicity and tolerability issues.

More information is available at vivosimlabs.com.