JANUARY 14, 2026 Microfluidic Innovation

Drug Discovery | Biotech Spin-off | 3D Cell Culture

Catching up with SYNEBIO: Supporting Better Screening for New Drug Development

In a significant leap for preclinical research, the Paris-based start-up Syntopia is commercializing the results of the EU-funded SYNEBIO project. Launched in March 2025 as a spin-off from ESPCI Paris - PSL, Syntopia introduces a breakthrough microfluidic platform designed to accelerate drug discovery while drastically reducing the pharmaceutical industry's reliance on animal testing.

Project Achievement

The SYNEBIO project demonstrated the effectiveness of a patented HTS microfluidic platform for continuous perfusion of 3D human cell models. By maintaining nutrient and oxygen flow without external pumps, the technology reproduces physiological conditions over long-term cultures, providing more reliable data for high-throughput screening (HTS).

Superior Preclinical Data: Faster and More Reliable

Syntopia’s core mission is to solve the high failure rates in clinical trials by generating higher-quality biological data during the preclinical phase. The company’s device utilizes a 96-well plate format that is fully automation-ready, allowing pharmaceutical companies to scale their research without the complexity of traditional pump-based systems.

Miniaturised Design A pump-free microfluidic device that integrates seamlessly into standard 96-well laboratory workflows.

Physiological Relevance Hydrogel scaffolds and continuous perfusion maintain nutrient flow, reproducing the body's natural environment.

AI-Ready Datasets Generates high-reproducibility data optimized for machine learning and artificial intelligence analysis.

Validated by Industry Leaders

The transition from a laboratory concept to a market-ready product was guided by direct feedback from some of the world's leading pharmaceutical and research institutions. This collaboration ensured that the platform met the rigorous "plug-and-play" standards required for modern industrial drug screening.

Sanofi AstraZeneca Servier Evotec Institut Curie

“In essence, this modest but strategic EU funding transformed a laboratory concept into a commercial-ready technology with clear societal impact and led directly to the creation of Syntopia,” concludes Philippe Nghe, Syntopia CSO and former SYNEBIO project leader.

Societal Impact and Alternatives to Animal Testing

Beyond biotech companies, Syntopia’s technology serves regulatory and public health organizations seeking validated alternatives to animal testing. By supporting complex immuno-oncology assays and co-culture models in a miniaturized format, the platform reduces waste and improves the predictive accuracy of drug testing.

Market Availability

Syntopia now holds an exclusive licence from ESPCI Paris - PSL to commercialise the technology globally. The platform is fully compatible with ANSI/SLAS labware standards, ensuring its immediate integration into existing contract research organizations (CROs) and academic screening platforms.