Altasciences and VoxCell BioInnovation Forge Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize Preclinical Drug Development with 3D Bioprinted Human Tissue Models
In a move poised to reshape the landscape of early-stage drug development, Altasciences, a fully integrated drug development solution provider, and VoxCell BioInnovation, a Canadian biotechnology innovator specializing in high-resolution 3D bioprinted tissue platforms, have announced a strategic collaboration designed to accelerate the transition from discovery to clinical trials. This partnership brings together Altasciences’ extensive expertise in preclinical research and early clinical development with VoxCell’s groundbreaking tissue engineering technology, promising to deliver a more human-relevant, predictive, and efficient drug development paradigm.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Human-Relevant Preclinical Models
The preclinical phase of drug development—traditionally reliant on in vitro assays and animal models—has long struggled with a lack of translatability to human biology. Drugs that appear effective and safe in preclinical studies often fail in human trials, leading to costly setbacks, prolonged timelines, and significant patient risk. According to industry data, fewer than 12% of drugs that enter clinical trials eventually receive regulatory approval, with many failures stemming from poor preclinical predictivity.
This collaboration between Altasciences and VoxCell directly addresses these issues by introducing highly sophisticated 3D bioprinted tissue models into the preclinical workflow. VoxCell’s proprietary technology creates intricate human-like tissue constructs, including tumor microenvironments, vascularized structures, and organ-specific models, that replicate the complexity of real human tissue at a microscale level. These tissue models can be used to test drug efficacy, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics with higher biological relevance than conventional two-dimensional cell cultures or animal models.
For Altasciences, which operates across North America with capabilities spanning preclinical safety testing, clinical pharmacology, bioanalysis, manufacturing, and regulatory services, this collaboration enhances its ability to offer clients innovative and ethical research solutions. The company is widely known for its commitment to integrating new technologies into the drug development process, and this alliance with VoxCell is a continuation of that vision.
Shared Vision and Values: Innovation, Predictivity, and Ethical Science
“This partnership with VoxCell BioInnovation brings next-generation tissue modeling to the forefront of early drug development,” said Steve Mason, Co-Chief Operating Officer at Altasciences. “It aligns with our commitment to the 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement of animal use in scientific research—as well as our mission to accelerate drug development through more predictive, human-relevant data. By enhancing our discovery and preclinical services with VoxCell’s advanced tissue platforms, we’re giving clients tools to make faster, more informed decisions.”
VoxCell BioInnovation, based in Victoria, British Columbia, has garnered international attention for its development of high-fidelity 3D bioprinted human tissues that mimic real tumors and complex tissue microarchitectures. The company’s proprietary bioprinting technology and bioinks enable the construction of tissues that reflect real human heterogeneity and cellular architecture, providing a more reliable and scalable system for preclinical testing.
“Our mission has always been to make drug screening more predictive, humane, and relevant to human biology,” said Karolina Valente, CEO of VoxCell BioInnovation. “Partnering with Altasciences allows us to amplify our impact by integrating our technology into a broader ecosystem of drug development services. This collaboration not only accelerates the R&D process but also holds the promise of bringing better medicines to patients more quickly.”
Accelerating Innovation in Ocular Drug Development
The initial focus of the partnership will be on ocular diseases, a complex and underserved therapeutic area in which preclinical models often fall short of predicting human responses. The eye, with its unique anatomy and blood-retinal barriers, presents significant challenges for drug developers, particularly when evaluating localized delivery, tissue penetration, and toxicity.
By incorporating VoxCell’s high-resolution bioprinted ocular tissue models into Altasciences’ preclinical testing pipeline, both companies aim to deliver more accurate data on candidate drug behavior in a human-like context. This is expected to reduce the need for early animal studies, streamline the development process, and provide pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors with earlier go/no-go decisions based on robust data.
“Ocular indications are an ideal starting point for our collaboration,” added Valente. “The lack of predictive preclinical models has hampered innovation in ophthalmology for years. Our 3D printed eye tissues can simulate critical barriers and tissue responses in ways that flat cell cultures or animal eyes cannot replicate. By pairing these models with Altasciences’ drug screening infrastructure, we believe we can close this translational gap.”
Expanding the Horizon: Toward Broader Therapeutic Applications
While the collaboration begins with ocular diseases, both Altasciences and VoxCell see this as the foundation for broader scientific expansion. Plans are already in motion to extend the use of VoxCell’s 3D tissues into other high-need therapeutic areas such as oncology, neurology, respiratory diseases, and immunology.
VoxCell’s tissue models have shown particular promise in simulating tumor microenvironments, where factors like stromal interaction, hypoxia, and immune infiltration play critical roles in treatment response. These models can be used to screen immunotherapies, chemotherapy agents, and drug delivery systems in a setting that better mimics the challenges of real-world tumor biology.
In parallel, Altasciences’ clients will gain access to these models as part of a seamless service offering that integrates preclinical study design, execution, and data analysis, potentially shortening development timelines and increasing the likelihood of clinical success.
“Speed and predictivity are two of the most critical variables in early drug development,” Mason emphasized. “This collaboration gives us an edge on both fronts. By incorporating human-like 3D tissues earlier in the pipeline, we not only make smarter choices, but we can potentially reduce late-stage failures, which is a win for our clients and, more importantly, for patients waiting on effective therapies.”
Ethical Impact: Supporting the 3Rs in Drug Discovery
Beyond technological innovation, the Altasciences-VoxCell partnership carries a significant ethical dimension. The life sciences industry continues to face scrutiny regarding the use of animals in research, with regulators, investors, and the public pushing for more humane and scientifically valid alternatives. The 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement of animal testing—have become a guiding principle for responsible research.
By implementing VoxCell’s human-derived tissue platforms, Altasciences strengthens its commitment to the 3Rs, offering sponsors a viable alternative to traditional in vivo testing methods. These models not only reduce reliance on animal studies but also contribute to data that is often more applicable to human outcomes.
“This isn’t just about better science—it’s about better ethics,” said Valente. “We believe that by developing tools that improve predictivity while reducing harm, we can serve science, patients, and society at the same time.”
A Strategic Leap for the Drug Development Ecosystem
The collaboration between Altasciences and VoxCell BioInnovation represents a forward-thinking step in the evolution of the drug development ecosystem. It combines cutting-edge biotechnological advances with operational scalability, offering a new gold standard in preclinical research.
As the industry faces increasing pressure to reduce costs, improve timelines, and deliver on patient-centric innovation, partnerships like this highlight how collaboration—not competition—can drive the next wave of medical progress. By fusing data-driven services with biologically rich tissue platforms, Altasciences and VoxCell aim to unlock the full potential of early-phase research and lay a stronger foundation for therapeutic breakthroughs.
About Altasciences
Altasciences is a mid-sized, forward-looking drug development partner offering integrated services that include preclinical safety testing, clinical pharmacology, bioanalysis, manufacturing, and regulatory consulting. With over 25 years of experience and facilities across North America, Altasciences supports biopharmaceutical companies in efficiently moving candidate drugs from discovery through proof-of-concept.
About VoxCell BioInnovation
VoxCell BioInnovation is a biotechnology company pioneering the development of 3D bioprinted human tissue models for drug screening and research. Utilizing proprietary bioprinting technologies and biomaterials, VoxCell creates physiologically relevant tissues that emulate the complexity of human organs and tumors. The company’s solutions are aimed at enhancing the translational value of preclinical studies and reducing reliance on animal testing.
As science races ahead, partnerships that embrace innovation and ethical responsibility are critical to shaping the future of medicine. The strategic collaboration between Altasciences and VoxCell BioInnovation stands as a compelling example of this convergence. By integrating advanced 3D tissue models into the early phases of drug development, the two companies are not only improving the accuracy of preclinical predictions but also paving the way for a more humane, efficient, and successful drug discovery process—one that ultimately serves the goal of delivering better treatments to patients, faster.
