About PHOENIX

Precision Human Organs-on-chip for Enhanced Neuro-muscular and Cardiac Studies

đź“‹ Project Factsheet
Full Title
Precision Human Organs-on-chip for Enhanced Neuro-muscular and Cardiac Studies
Acronym
PHOENIX (incorporating PHOENIX-SE)
Grant Agreement
#101156638
Duration
48 Months
Start: 1 January 2025
Consortium
10 Partners from 5 European Countries
Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Serbia
Total Budget
€7.1M
(including Hop-On expansion)

Project Summary

PHOENIX aims to revolutionize drug discovery and disease modelling by developing next-generation, human-based Organs-on-Chip (OoC) platforms. The project integrates advanced mechanical stimulation, high-resolution electrical recording, and real-time force sensing into a single modular ecosystem.

With the PHOENIX-SE (Safety Evaluation) expansion, the project scales its impact by introducing low-cost, screen-printed electronics. Our mission is to provide more predictive and human-relevant alternatives to animal testing, contributing to a meaningful reduction in animal use for cardiac safety screening in line with the EU's 3Rs principle (Replace, Reduce, Refine).

Core Technologies

3dMECH
Controlled mechanical stimulation of 3D microtissues using the proprietary uBeat® technology.
3dMEA
High-density Microelectrode Arrays for precise electrophysiological read-outs.
3dFORCE
Real-time contractility sensing to monitor tissue health and drug response.
µSafeHeart Technology
Innovative screen-printed electrodes developed by TECSR to enable cost-effective, high-throughput cardiac safety screening.

Platforms & Versions

µHeart

An advanced cardiac model integrating mechanical and electrical read-outs.

MVP → Base/+ → Pro

µNMC

A bi-compartmental platform for modelling the neuromuscular circuitry, including both afferent circuits (sensory neurons to muscle) and efferent circuits (motor neurons to muscle).

MVP → Base/+ → Pro

µSafeHeart (Safety Scaling)

The industrial-scale version designed for routine toxicology and high-throughput screening.

PHOENIX-SE Expansion

Note: All platforms follow a roadmap from MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to Base/+ (PDMS-free) and Pro (fully automated) versions.

Clinical Demonstrators

The PHOENIX ecosystem is validated through two clinically relevant disease models:

LMNA-CMP
Modelling genetic cardiomyopathies (Led by Humanitas/ICH).
FRDA
Modelling Friedreich's Ataxia in neuromuscular circuits (Led by Biointaxis/CNR).

Project Timeline (Key Milestones)

M1 (Jan 2025)
Project Launch and Governance Board establishment.
M18
Release of the first validated MVP prototypes for µHeart and µNMC.
M24 (Hop-On Integration)
Delivery of the first screen-printed electronics for scaling-up safety evaluation.
M36
Clinical validation of disease models on PHOENIX platforms.
M48
Full industrial qualification and release of the complete PHOENIX Ecosystem.

Coordinator & Governance

Project Coordinator: Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI)

POLIMI leads the PHOENIX consortium, ensuring technical excellence, ethical compliance, and societal impact across all project activities.

  • MiMic Lab (Microfluidics and biomimetic Microsystems Laboratory): Technical Excellence & Platform Development
  • POLIMI-META: Ethical & Societal Impact (Social Sciences and Humanities - SSH research on the transition to non-animal models)