Organoids and 3D models
Updated Oct 23, 2026
What they are
3D models range from simple spheroids to organoids that self-organize from stem cells. Adult stem cell organoids keep donor biology. Pluripotent stem cell organoids reach more cell types but can be less mature.
Uses
Efficacy and disease modeling, oncology response and, increasingly, safety. Patient-derived organoids are routine in oncology CROs. Immune organoids, such as Parallel Bio's lymph node models, target immunogenicity and vaccine response.
Readiness
Recent reviews flag the same issues: assay robustness, throughput, batch variation and a lack of standard protocols. Machine learning readouts help, but standardization lags.
Commercial picture
Tracxn counts 124 organoid research model startups, 79 of them funded and 19 at Series A or later. Consolidation is active: Merck KGaA bought HUB Organoids (December 2024), and InSphero bought DOPPL (late 2025) and PhenoVista (May 2026).
Players tracked
HUB Organoids (Merck KGaA), InSphero, Parallel Bio, Newcells Biotech, ProxyBio, Crown Bioscience (services).
Sources
- Wittich et al. 2026, organoids for drug discovery doi.org(opens in new tab)
- Tracxn: organoid research model startups tracxn.com(opens in new tab)
- MilliporeSigma: HUB acquisition businesswire.com(opens in new tab)
- InSphero: PhenoVista acquisition insphero.com(opens in new tab)