Current status of MPS studies in domestic and overseas—introduction of cardiac MPS—

Abstract

MPS is already being utilized in various aspects of drug development. This paper introduces MPS from a different viewpoint in previous reviews. First, I will introduce how the term “microphysiological systems” came to be used based on the results of the PubMed search, and show the results of an abstract analysis at the MPS World Summit 2023 held in Berlin, which quantified the organs of interest in MPS and the needs of pharmaceutical companies. Next, the author’s activities in the AMED-MPS2 (the identification and experimental validation of device or cell considerations as MPS evaluation systems) and MPS-RS (the development of CoUs suitable for guidelines) projects as MPS projects in Japan will be introduced. I am also engaged in the construction of an evaluation system using cardiac MPS. The features and results of several cardiac MPS devices that have been developed for the contraction evaluation will be introduced, including the author’s own efforts. Evaluation systems using MPS are attracting attention not only in drug discovery but also in the food and chemical industries, and while social implementation is gradually advancing, discussion groups are being created around the world to discuss how MPS should truly be utilized in society and in regulations. Countries seem to be focusing on acquiring data using useful devices that have survived the race for survival. For Japan to lead the world, it will be necessary to quickly identify useful devices and acquire enough data to discuss them.