Primary human cells for Organ-on-chip studies

UKHSA requires to purchase HLA typed matching human small airway epithelial cells (SAEC), lung microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L) and human immune cells (PMBC) over a 3-year period. Cells will be used in an established human Lung on a Chip (LoC) system at Porton Down. In order that LoC platforms can generate the most representative models of human organs, cells harvested directly from recently deceased, healthy humans are required (primary human cells). UKHSA believes that the only supplier that has a large enough clinical network underpinning their catalogue to maximise availability of donors to UKHSA (and the critical donor information including HLA type) is Lonza Group. Supply of these specific cells are limited. While suppliers/re-sellers of some cell types could be found, the requirement for having SAEC and MVEC from the same donor along with a large bank of Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) donors in order to maximise compatibility excluded the majority of the small operations and re-sellers. Therefore, a decision has been made to enter into a 3-year agreement with Lonza Group for this procurement with 12-month extension option available.