Workshop A | Benchmarking Animal, Organoid & Human-Relevant CKD Models to Improve Translation, De-Risk Target Selection & Enter the Clinic with Greater Confidence

9:00 am - Tuesday 16th March 2027

No single CKD model captures the heterogeneity of human kidney disease. This workshop will critically compare 5/6 nephrectomy, dietary and disease-specific animal models alongside organoids, vascularised organoids, organ-on-chip systems and patient-derived approaches. Participants will explore which models answer which biological questions, where misleading translation occurs and how clinical data can be back-translated to build stronger preclinical packages before substantial development capital is committed.

What attendees will gain: A clearer decision framework for selecting and combining models according to disease biology, modality and translational objective.

Key questions:

  • Which animal models best predict human CKD biology – and where does each fail?
  • When should developers use disease-specific versus general CKD models?
  • How mature are organoids, vascularised organoids and kidney-on-chip systems as translational tools?
  • What evidence is required before non-animal models can meaningfully influence development or regulatory decisions?
  • How can human clinical observations be back-translated to continuously improve preclinical models?

Speakers:

Senior Scientist Pharmacology and Biomarkers
PTC Therapeutics
Senior Advisor
Eli Lilly & Co.