Ocular Toxicity Testing

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Scaffold-free Tissue

Corneal Equivalent Tissue

Cutting-edge bioengineered tissue is designed to mimic the natural environment of the human body, providing an optimal platform for cellular activities.

Our patented process lets cells create their own natural structure, improving function and compatibility with existing processes.

Corneal Equivalent Tissue

Cutting-edge bioengineered tissue is designed to mimic the natural environment of the human body, providing an optimal platform for cellular activities.

Our patented process lets cells create their own natural structure, improving function and compatibility with existing processes.

Research Student Enrico C. Torre in the lab using Keratox^R

Sarah Greenhalgh, Managing Director of Kerato, commented:
"Kerato's Ocular Toxicity Testing Platform will be transformative, offering a new testing method that can be seamlessly implemented within existing R&D pathways and scaled, helping to meet the growing global demand for alternative and sustainable processes."

Science

Ocular Toxicity testing is a regulatory requirement for all new-to-market pharmaceutical and consumer goods products to ensure ensure compliance with safety standards. The United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UN-GHS) classifies chemicals based on their potential to cause adverse effects on human health and the environment.

Current tests are heavily reliant on in-vivo (animal) models.

Building on a strategic relationship with one of the worlds largest consumer goods companies, we are developing an ocular toxicity testing platform that utilises lab-grown corneas as an alternative for evaluating novel chemical formulations.

Keratox^R, will enable companies to test and understand a range of ocular toxicity endpoints through a sustainable and cost-effective method.

The Benefits

High throughput in-vitro test

Keratox^R will provide innovative R&D focused chemical and pharmaceutical companies with an in-house, high-throughput in-vitro test that can be used to evaluate the ocular toxicology of known and novel chemical formulations.

Ocular toxicity profiling

Providing early indications of a formulations’ ocular toxicity profile with reference to UN-GHS, distinguishing between Class I, Class IIa and IIb, and unclassified chemicals.

Reducing test fail burden

Reduction in late-stage test fail burden, providing savings to companies

Reducing need for animal testing

Our product aligns with international policies aimed at reducing the reliance on animal testing and addresses shortfalls in currently available testing solutions

Timeline

2024 - Collaborative Accelerated Knowledge Transfer Project with Newcastle University and 3DBT supported by Innovate UK provided early proof of concept data.