Intero Biosystems sells lab-grown human intestines to replace animal testing

Intero Biosystems has begun selling lab-grown human intestines to pharmaceutical companies, offering an alternative to animal testing as regulators push for more human-relevant preclinical models.

According to TechCrunch, the startup grows miniaturized intestines—organoids derived from human tissue—to help drugmakers assess absorption, toxicity, and efficacy before clinical trials. The move aligns with a broader industry shift away from animal models, driven by ethical concerns and scientific limitations.

Intero’s timing coincides with increasing scrutiny of traditional preclinical testing. Earlier this month, StartupReader covered Polyphron’s $20 million raise to scale lab-grown heart tissue for similar purposes. While organoid-based testing isn’t new, Intero’s commercial availability marks a step toward broader adoption, particularly as drugmakers face pressure to reduce reliance on animals.

The startup’s next challenge will be scaling production. Organoid consistency and throughput remain hurdles for widespread use, but Intero’s early traction suggests demand is outpacing supply. What remains unclear is how quickly regulators will formalize standards for organoid-based data in drug approvals—a critical factor for the model’s long-term viability.

Sources: techcrunch.com