Predictive Oncology Develops Functional 3D Organoid Models Exclusively for Labcorp

Rhea-AI Summary

Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) has developed exclusive 3D liver toxicity organoid models for Labcorp (NYSE: LH), including human and rat variants, to enhance drug discovery and toxicity testing. These models simulate liver microenvironments to predict drug clearance, transport, and hepatotoxicity. The technology leverages POAI's extensive biobank of 150,000+ frozen tumor samples and complements their AI-driven 2D platform and 3D spheroids. The models demonstrated optimal liver morphology and function through various tests, including cell junction formation and hepatotoxicity measurements. This development aligns with the growing organoid-based platform market, which aims to accelerate drug development while reducing reliance on animal testing.

Positive

• Development of exclusive 3D liver toxicity models for industry leader Labcorp demonstrates commercial validation
• Models provide species-specific data for both human and rat liver environments, expanding testing capabilities
• Technology leverages company's vast biobank of over 150,000 frozen tumor samples
• Successful demonstration of optimal liver morphology and function through multiple testing parameters
• Positions company in growing organoid-based platform market for personalized medicine and biotechnology

Negative

• None.

Insights

Biotechnology Expert

POAI's exclusive 3D liver organoid models for Labcorp strengthen their partnership while advancing drug discovery technology with reduced animal testing.

Predictive Oncology's development of functional 3D liver organoid models for Labcorp represents a significant technological advancement in preclinical drug testing. These models—both human and rat—are designed to predict in vivo drug clearance, transport, and hepatotoxicity, providing crucial data that traditional testing methods often miss.

The liver models are particularly valuable in drug development as nearly all compounds must pass hepatic metabolism assessments before clinical trials. Having both human and rat versions enables critical cross-species comparison, helping researchers better translate animal study results to human outcomes—addressing one of the most challenging aspects of preclinical testing.

What's impressive is the demonstrated functionality. The company has generated data sets showing optimal liver morphology and function through multiple verification methods, including cell junction formation, transferrin staining, and canalicular structure visualization. This indicates these aren't merely conceptual models but functional testing platforms.

This development complements POAI's existing AI-driven platform and access to over 150,000 frozen tumor samples. The integration of 3D organoids with AI-driven analysis creates a more comprehensive drug discovery ecosystem than either technology alone could provide.

The exclusive partnership with Labcorp—a global laboratory services leader—provides POAI with commercial validation from an established industry player. Labcorp's expressed interest in potentially expanding to other species suggests they see significant value in this approach, aligning with their stated commitment to new approach methodologies (NAMs) in preclinical studies.

This development positions POAI at the convergence of two important industry trends: the shift toward more physiologically relevant testing models and the reduction of animal testing in drug development. As regulatory bodies increasingly accept alternative testing methods, companies with established expertise in this area stand to gain considerable advantages.

Models provide highly relevant species-specific data, predict in vivo drug clearance/transport, and support preclinical analysis of cancer therapies

PITTSBURGH, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Predictive Oncology Inc. (NASDAQ: POAI), a leader in AI-driven drug discovery, announced today the company has successfully developed 3D organoid models exclusively for Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services.

As part of an ongoing agreement, Predictive Oncology recently developed two distinct and unique 3D liver toxicity models exclusively for Labcorp, including a human and rat model. Both models represent the liver microenvironment and can be used for the evaluation of both drug metabolism and liver toxicity related to drugs.

“The intention of these 3D organoid models is to enable the prediction of in vivo drug clearance, drug transport and hepatotoxicity related to drugs,” said Dr. Arlette Uihlein, Senior Vice President Translational Medicine and Drug Discovery for Predictive Oncology. “These models provide highly relevant, species-specific data based on their physiologic hepatic microenvironments while also capturing hepatic cellular heterogeneity.”

These and other 3D organoid models developed by Predictive Oncology substantially complement its AI-driven 2D platform and 3D spheroids, which utilize human tumor samples to accelerate drug discovery and identify relevant biomarkers across thousands of patients. The platform relies on Predictive Oncology’s vast biobank of over 150,000 frozen tumor samples.

"Labcorp is committed to developing and using new approach methodologies (NAMs) in preclinical studies. These models show great promise to enable more rapid evaluation of new potential medicines and help accelerate their availability to patients,” said John Kendrick, Ph.D., NAMs scientific strategy lead at Labcorp. "With this foundation in place, Labcorp will consider expanding this work into other species to support wider preclinical analyses and translate between animal and human models for these new alternative approaches.”

According to Grand View Research, with the growing investment in personalized medicine and biotechnology, organoid-based platforms are key drivers to disrupting healthcare, accelerating drug development, reducing reliance on animal models, and paving the way for next-generation therapeutic solutions. Organoids are transforming disease modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine, offering cost-effective and high-fidelity alternatives to traditional research methods.

The functional 3D organoid models developed for Labcorp with specialized matrices and media supplements provide insights into cancer therapeutic behavior in patients. Data sets demonstrating optimal liver morphology and function were generated, including cell junction formation (ZO-1 staining); transferrin staining within hepatocytes; DCFDA staining for hepatotoxicity measurements; canalicular structure visualization; and cell viability confirmation (up to 14 days).

About Predictive Oncology

Predictive Oncology is on the cutting edge of the rapidly growing use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to expedite early drug discovery and enable drug development for the benefit of cancer patients worldwide. The company’s scientifically validated AI platform, PEDAL, is able to predict with 92% accuracy if a tumor sample will respond to a certain drug compound, allowing for a more informed selection of drug/tumor type combinations for subsequent in-vitro testing. Together with the company’s vast biobank of more than 150,000 assay-capable heterogenous human tumor samples, Predictive Oncology offers its academic and industry partners one of the industry’s broadest AI-based drug discovery solutions, further complimented by its wholly owned CLIA laboratory facility. Predictive Oncology is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA.

Investor Relations Contact:

Mike Moyer
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
mmoyer@lifesciadvisors.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward- looking statements reflect Predictive Oncology’s current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Predictive Oncology’s operations and the investments Predictive Oncology makes. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue and financial performance, projected costs, prospects, changes in management, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “would,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Predictive Oncology’s actual future performance may materially differ from that contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors including, among other things, factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Predictive Oncology’s filings with the SEC. Except as expressly required by law, Predictive Oncology disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Predictive Oncology does not give any assurance that Predictive Oncology will achieve its expectations described in this press release.

FAQ

What is the significance of POAI's 3D organoid models developed for Labcorp?

The 3D organoid models enable prediction of drug clearance, transport, and hepatotoxicity, providing highly relevant species-specific data for both human and rat liver environments, which helps accelerate drug development and reduce reliance on animal testing.

How does POAI's technology support drug discovery and development?

POAI's technology combines AI-driven 2D platforms, 3D spheroids, and organoid models with a vast biobank of 150,000+ frozen tumor samples to accelerate drug discovery and identify relevant biomarkers across thousands of patients.

What testing parameters were demonstrated in POAI's liver organoid models?

The models demonstrated optimal liver morphology and function through cell junction formation, transferrin staining, DCFDA staining for hepatotoxicity, canalicular structure visualization, and cell viability confirmation up to 14 days.

What is the market potential for POAI's organoid technology?

According to Grand View Research, organoid-based platforms are key drivers in healthcare disruption, particularly in personalized medicine and biotechnology, offering cost-effective alternatives to traditional research methods.

What is the partnership between POAI and Labcorp?

POAI has developed exclusive 3D liver toxicity models for Labcorp, including human and rat variants, as part of an ongoing agreement to support preclinical studies and new approach methodologies (NAMs) in drug development.