Curix advances neurological drug delivery in European UNLOOC project.

As part of the ambitious European research initiative UNLOOC (Unlocking the data content of Organ-on-Chips), Curix is pioneering new methods for drug delivery to the brain, aiming to transform treatment approaches for neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and brain tumors.

The UNLOOC project, supported by the Chips Joint Undertaking and co-funded by national bodies including the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), brings together 51 organizations from 10 countries with a shared goal: to replace animal testing with advanced Organ-on-Chip (OOC) technologies. With a total budget of €68 million, the project is exploring five innovative use cases to demonstrate the potential of OOC systems in drug development and disease modeling.

Curix is developing a microbubble injector system designed to interface with a blood-brain barrier (BBB)-on-chip model. This system leverages Focused Ultrasound (FUS) to temporarily open the BBB, enabling precise and controlled drug delivery directly to the brain. The technology aims to optimize protocols for FUS-mediated delivery, offering a promising alternative to traditional invasive methods.

Curix's work is supported by Demcon life sciences & health Enschede, which provides the engineering expertise necessary to bring these innovations to life. Together, they are contributing to a future where neurological treatments are more targeted, effective, and humane.

For more information, visit www.unlooc.eu.