Harnessing the power of microphysiological systems for COVID-19 research

The pharmaceutical industry is constantly striving for innovative ways to bridge the translational gap between preclinical and clinical drug development to reduce attrition. Substantial effort has focused on the preclinical application of human-based microphysiological systems (MPS) to better identify compounds not likely to be safe or efficacious in the clinic. The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provides a clear opportunity for assessing the utility of MPS models of the lungs and other organ systems affected by the disease in understanding the pathophysiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and in the development of effective therapeutics. Here, we review progress and describe the establishment of a global working group to coordinate activities around MPS and COVID-19 and to maximize their scientific, human health, and animal welfare impacts.

Automated summary

The pharmaceutical industry is working on innovative ways to bridge the translation gap between preclinical and clinical drug development to reduce loss. The preclinical application of human-based microphysiological systems (MPS) helps identify compounds not safe or efficacious in clinical trials, and the use of MPS models in understanding the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial for developing effective therapeutics. A global working group has been established to coordinate MPS and COVID-19 activities and maximize their impacts on scientific research, human health, and animal welfare.