Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine
Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine

Translational Fibrosis Research

Advance the preclinical efficacy of antifibrotic therapeutics on human lung tissue for early human proof-of-concept.

We investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving fibrosis and focus on the evaluation of antifibrotic drug candidates in clinically relevant systems. evaluate therapeutic strategies in clinically relevant systems. Our research combines on in-vitro, in-vivo, and ex-vivo models, with particular expertise in human Precision-cut Lung Slices (PCLS), a powerful platform for analysis of key analyzing and drug effects across different stages of fibrotic disease.

Using fresh patient-derived tissue, the human PCLS enables direct pharmacological testing of antifibrotic compounds in a native pathophysiological environment. Integrated molecular, biochemical, and immunohistochemical analyses provide comprehensive mechanistic insights, bridging the gap from preclinical drug discovery to early clinical evaluation.

Advancing the anti-fibrotic efficacy with human ex-vivo tissue

We use freshly obtained lung tissue from patients and experimental models to investigate fibrosis mechanisms and evaluate antifibrotic drug responses in a physiologically relevant context.

© Fraunhofer ITEM

Access to well-characterized fibrotic tissue

Through close collaboration with Hannover Medical School, we have unique access to precisely classified lung fibrosis tissue (incl. IPF). Diagnostic validation by clinicians provides robust foundation for high-quality antifibrotic drug efficacy testing.

© Fraunhofer ITEM

Inducing early fibrotic events

A TGF-β–based stimulus is applied to non-fibrotic human lung slices to mimic the onset of fibrosis, enabling controlled investigation of cellular and molecular pathways that drive disease progression and serving as a test system for antifibrotic interventions.

© Fraunhofer IWS

Comprehensive fibrosis-specific readouts

Fibrotic biomarkers (cytokines, growth factors, ECM proteins), RNA signatures, tissue stiffness, and cellular composition are analyzed and complemented by histological and immunohistochemical assessments for a holistic evaluation treatment effects.

© Fraunhofer ITEM

Over a decade of preclinical drug testing expertise

We assess the efficacy of antifibrotic therapies across substance classes, incl. small molecules, antibodies, oligonucleotides, and RNA-based drugs, positioning us as a trusted partner in advancing drug development.

Pulmonary Fibrosis: An Urgent Medical Challenge

Pulmonary fibrosis is a rapidly progressive disease marked by abnormal wound healing, excessive fibroblast proliferation, uncontrolled extracellular matrix deposition, and destruction of lung architecture. Current drugs, pirfenidone and nintedanib, only slow disease progression and often cause severe side effects, leaving transplantation as the only option for most patients. Advancing effective therapies requires a precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving disease onset and progression.