Lucero Impact Story

Lucero – Increasing access to affordable, disease-relevant cell models through AstraZeneca’s BioVentureHub

Overview

Lucero, a startup focused on developing a platform for precision 3D cell culture handling at scale, aims to provide pharmaceutical companies with more accessible, disease-relevant cell models. This innovative approach supports the drug discovery process by offering advanced screening options that more accurately recapitulate in-vivo physiology than traditional 2D monolayers.

The company's collaborative journey with AstraZeneca began with its participation in the BioVentureHub-affiliated AZ Exchange mentoring program, leading to involvement in the Vinnova-backed research consortium, Nanoscale Drug Testing, alongside AstraZeneca. In 2021, Lucero officially joined the BioVentureHub to facilitate closer collaboration with AstraZeneca’s research teams.

The challenge

The primary challenge addressed by Lucero is the limited availability of affordable and scalable disease-relevant cell models for drug testing. Traditional 2D cell cultures often fail to replicate the complex interactions found in human tissues, necessitating the development of more sophisticated models that allow for greater predictability of the efficacy and toxicity of drug candidates in humans before they move on to clinical trials.

Key facts - from challenge to opportunity and impact.

The BioVentureHub has played a crucial role in fostering this collaboration by:

• Facilitating proximity and access: By providing Lucero with space within AstraZeneca's labs, the startup's employees have been able to work directly alongside AstraZeneca scientists, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances innovation and technology development. 

• Providing lab training and resources: The BioVentureHub has equipped Lucero with access to advanced lab equipment and training, which are critical for developing and testing their technology. This access would be prohibitively expensive or otherwise unattainable for a small startup operating independently.

• Navigating legal complexities: The BioVentureHub has assisted in managing the legal aspects of the collaboration, including confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, and other necessary legal frameworks to ensure smooth collaboration. 

Outcomes

The collaboration has led to significant milestones, including:

• Drug discovery screening: Lucero´s solution is one of the approaches AstraZeneca aims to test with partners in a pilot screen, underscoring the potential of the Lucero technology to either replace or complement existing simpler screening models. 

• Expansion and funding: Lucero has expanded its team and secured a €1.3M transition grant from the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). This funding will support further development of their technology platform, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in drug discovery and testing