NHPig EU project launches to transform non-clinical research

NHPig EU Project Launches to Transform Non-Clinical Research

Lyon, 4/12/2024 — ETISENSE today announced the launch of NHPig, an EU-funded research project aimed at transforming non clinical safety assessment by use of mini- and micropig models. The goal is to expand and share biological knowledge on mini- and micropig models and improve the translational understanding between pig models and non-human primates (NHPs) and humans with the possibility to use these pig models as viable alternatives to NHPs in the nonclinical safety testing.

NHPig is a 5-year European public-private partnership backed by €17.5 million in funding from the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking and contributing private industry partners. The project consortium brings together leading international experts from 27 partner organisations led by the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Germany) and Novo Nordisk A/S (Denmark).

The start of NHPig is a big step forward for science and animal welfare in the EU. This project uses mini- and micropig models to lessen our reliance on non-human primates for research and to overall refine and reduce the use of animals and promote ethical scientific practices in biomedical research.

NHPig is committed to promote the 3R principles (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) by developing a comprehensive knowledge and technology base, including:

– Creating a database and IT platform for comparing mini-/micropig data across species.

– Characterizing humanized IgG1/4 minipigs and micropigs for tolerance to human therapeutic antibodies and investigate the feasibility of these pig models in non-clinical safety testing.

– Establishing biobanks of wildtype and genetically modified minipigs and micropigs and collecting multiomics data for biomarker discovery and safety/efficacy assessment including using AI-driven analytical methods.

– Characterising the porcine immune system and immune response following treatment with human therapeutics, by expanding tools for pigs and further developing in vitro models to reduce animal use in drug development.

– Enhancing preclinical toxicity studies by developing and qualifying AI-integrated digital solutions, that objectively measure clinically relevant biomarkers, fully compliant with regulatory requirements.

To ensure the highest standards of ethical and regulatory compliance, the project has established a Regulatory Advisory Board and an Ethics and Animal Welfare Advisory Board. These boards will promote regulatory interactions and future standards for use of animals in non-clinical safety assessments.

Beyond achieving the highest scientific standards in this field of research, NHPig is committed to being open and accessible, fostering dialogue with the public, research communities and authorities through a series of open activities. These include Open Days and workshops designed to engage and interact with the broader community.

For more information about NHPig, please contact:

Project Coordinator:
Eckhard Wolf (ewolf@lmb.uni-muenchen.de)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Project Lead:
Majken Dalgaard (mjda@novonordisk.com)
Novo Nordisk A/S

Project Management Office:
Andras Dinnyés (andras.dinnyes@biotalentum.hu)
BioTalentum Ltd.
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Funding acknowledgement
This project is supported by the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking (IHI JU) under grant agreement No 101165643. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and COCIR, EFPIA, Vaccines Europe, EuropaBio and MedTech Europe.

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Project Consortium