Imaging Biometrics (LSE:IBAI) said its subsidiary Kirkstall has been selected as an industry partner on a collaborative research programme with Nottingham Trent University to develop a microfluidic glioblastoma tumour-on-a-chip model.
The project will use Kirkstall's Quasi Vivo system to grow human-derived cells under physiological flow to form a blood-brain barrier, introduce glioblastoma cells and track tumour development and drug penetration using microscopy, ultrasound and MRI.
The study is funded under the BBSRC/NC3Rs Business Interaction Voucher scheme, with Kirkstall listed as a co-funder alongside the research councils.
“This grant award is an early validation of our strategy in acquiring Kirkstall and the opportunity to bring those capabilities together within a single group is exactly the kind of convergence we envisaged,” said Trevor Brown, Chief Executive Officer.
The directors said the programme demonstrates Kirkstall's scientific relevance and commercial potential in oncology and central nervous system drug development and strengthens its relationships with NC3Rs and academic and regulatory bodies promoting human-relevant testing.
The company said it will provide further updates on the progress of the research programme in due course.
