SDG Awards 2024

Finalist Profile

Welcome to the SDG Awards, a distinguished recognition program honoring the remarkable contributions of individuals, organizations, and initiatives in championing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Finalist Profile

CanChip

About Company

SDG Awards 2024

Category - Goal 3 - Good health and well-being

CanChip's tumor-on-a-chip technology accelerates drug discovery and personalized cancer treatments, improving healthcare outcomes.

➜ CanChip’s tumor-on-a-chip technology accelerates drug discovery and personalized cancer treatments, improving healthcare outcomes.
➜ Partnering with universities & research centers, CanChip bridges basic research and clinical applications, enhancing cancer treatment strategies.
➜ Workshops & consulting services, promoting knowledge and expertise in cancer research/technology.
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1. What is the local impact your organization has achieved regarding your selected SDG? (No Word Limit)

Our organization has made significant strides in promoting Good Health and Well-being, particularly in the context of cancer research, by pioneering organ-on-chip technology. This approach allows us to model human organs and their response to cancer treatments with unparalleled accuracy, eliminating the need for animal trials. By focusing on personalized medicine, we have developed tailored therapeutic strategies that reflect the unique genetic and environmental factors of individual patients. Locally, this has led to several impactful outcomes: 1. Enhanced Patient Outcomes: Our personalized medicine approach is going to significantly improve treatment efficacy, resulting in better patient outcomes, particularly for those with complex or advanced cancers. Patients in our community will be receiving more targeted and effective therapies, reducing the trial-and-error approach typically associated with cancer treatment. 2. Ethical Research Practices: By eliminating animal trials, we have not only advanced the ethical standards of biomedical research but also accelerated the pace of discovery. This ethical commitment has resonated strongly within our community, fostering trust and collaboration with local healthcare providers and institutions. 3. Economic Growth and Job Creation: Our research and development efforts have created high-skilled jobs and attracted investment to the region, contributing to the local economy. The presence of our company has also established the area as a hub for cutting-edge biomedical research, drawing in top talent and fostering partnerships with local universities and research institutions. 4. Educational Initiatives: We have engaged with local universities, and community groups to promote STEM education, particularly in the fields of biology, cancer research, and personalized medicine. These efforts are inspiring the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals, ensuring a lasting impact on the community’s health and well-being. Through these efforts, we are not only advancing cancer research but also contributing to the overall health, ethical standards, and economic vitality of our local community.

2. What is the global impact your organization has achieved regarding your selected SDG? (No Word Limit)

Our organization has achieved a substantial global impact on Good Health and Well-being through our innovative organ-on-chip technology, particularly in the field of cancer research. By focusing on personalized medicine and eliminating the need for animal trials, we have contributed to significant advancements in healthcare worldwide. Here are some key aspects of our global impact: 1. Revolutionizing Cancer Research: Our organ-on-chip technology has and will transform the way cancer research is conducted globally. By providing highly accurate, human-relevant models of cancer, we are enabling researchers worldwide to develop and test new therapies more efficiently and effectively. This will accelerate the discovery of new treatments and brought them to market faster, benefiting patients globally. 2. Promoting Ethical Research Standards: By eliminating animal trials, we have set a new standard for ethical research practices on a global scale. Our approach has inspired other organizations and research institutions to adopt similar methods, leading to a broader shift away from animal testing in the biomedical field. This contributes to a more humane and sustainable research environment worldwide. 3. Advancing Personalized Medicine: Our focus on personalized medicine is helping to move global healthcare towards treatments tailored to the individual. By considering the unique genetic makeup and specific needs of each patient, our technology is paving the way for more precise and effective cancer therapies. This approach is particularly impactful in diverse populations where traditional one-size-fits-all treatments have been less effective. 4. Collaborative Global Networks: We have established partnerships with leading research institutions, healthcare providers, and universities around the world. We are also planning the collaboration with pharmaceutical companies. These collaborations have facilitated the exchange of knowledge, resources, and expertise, amplifying our impact on global health. Through these networks, we are contributing to a more connected and collaborative global healthcare ecosystem. 5. Empowering Healthcare Systems: By reducing the reliance on costly and time-consuming animal trials, our technology is making cancer research and treatment development more accessible and affordable. This is particularly beneficial for low- and middle-income countries, where healthcare resources are often limited. Our innovations are helping to level the playing field, ensuring that patients around the world can benefit from the latest advances in cancer treatment. Through these efforts, we are not only advancing the frontiers of cancer research but also contributing to a global movement towards more ethical, efficient, and personalized healthcare, ultimately improving the well-being of people worldwide.

3. What is the scalability of your innovation and how do you plan to achieve it? (No Word Limit)

Our innovation in organ-on-chip technology is inherently scalable, designed to meet the diverse and evolving needs of cancer research, drug development, gene therapy, and the study of metastasis. By tailoring our chips to specific cancer types and research objectives, we have created a versatile platform that can be adapted and expanded across multiple areas of biomedical research. Key Aspects of Scalability: 1. Modular and Customizable Design: Our organ-on-chip systems are modular, allowing for easy customization based on the type of cancer, research focus, and desired outcomes. This flexibility enables us to rapidly scale our technology to address a wide range of cancers and therapeutic areas, from early-stage drug discovery to complex studies of metastasis and gene therapy. 2. High-Throughput Capabilities: We are developing high-throughput versions of our organ-on-chip platforms, which will allow for the simultaneous testing of multiple compounds, genetic modifications, or treatment protocols. This capability is essential for scaling our technology to meet the demands of large pharmaceutical companies and research institutions that require robust, data-rich experiments. 3. Automation and Integration: To further enhance scalability, we are integrating automation into our chip production and data analysis processes. This includes the use of advanced robotics and AI-driven analytics, which will enable us to produce chips at scale and manage large datasets efficiently. By automating these processes, we can significantly reduce costs and improve the accessibility of our technology. 4. Global Partnerships and Collaborations: We plan to scale our innovation through strategic partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and healthcare providers. These collaborations will enable us to expand our reach and impact, facilitating the adoption of our technology across different regions and research fields. By working closely with industry leaders, we can ensure that our organ-on-chip systems are integrated into the global drug development and personalized medicine pipelines. 5. Open Innovation and Licensing: To accelerate the adoption and scalability of our technology, we are exploring open innovation models and licensing agreements. By allowing other organizations to license our technology and develop their own applications, we can rapidly expand the use of organ-on-chip systems across the globe. This approach will also encourage innovation, and the development of new therapeutic strategies based on our platform. Plan to Achieve Scalability: • Investment in R&D: We will continue to invest in research and development to enhance the capabilities and versatility of our organ-on-chip technology, ensuring it can be applied to an ever-growing range of cancer types and research objectives. • Infrastructure Expansion: To support increased demand, we will expand our manufacturing capabilities, establishing new production facilities and leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies to scale up production while maintaining high quality. • Global Outreach and Education: We will launch educational initiatives and training programs to familiarize researchers and healthcare professionals worldwide with our technology, fostering its widespread adoption and integration into global research and healthcare systems. By focusing on these strategies, we are confident in our ability to scale our innovation to meet the global needs of cancer research, personalized medicine, and beyond, ultimately driving significant improvements in health outcomes worldwide.

4. What is your organization’s unique strategy for using technology to achieve your selected SDG? (150 Words Limit)

Our organization uniquely leverages organ-on-chip technology to advance Good Health and Well-being by transforming cancer research and personalized medicine. We precisely model human organs to study cancer behaviour, drug responses, metastasis, and gene therapies, eliminating the need for animal trials. This approach not only enhances the relevance of research but also aligns with ethical standards. Our customizable chips reflect the specific genetic and molecular characteristics of each patient's cancer, enabling truly personalized treatment strategies that maximize efficacy and minimize side effects. We focus on scalability through automation and high-throughput capabilities, making our technology accessible globally. By fostering global collaborations with research institutions and healthcare providers, we accelerate the discovery of new therapies and ensure their rapid integration into clinical practice. Our strategy combines precision, ethics, and innovation to significantly improve cancer treatment outcomes and promote global health.

5. What challenges did you encounter while working for your selected SDG, and how did you address them? (150 Words Limit)

We faced several challenges in our mission to promote Good Health and Well-being through organ-on-chip technology. 1. Technical Complexity: Developing highly accurate, human-relevant models required overcoming significant technical hurdles. We addressed this by investing in advanced bioengineering and collaborating with leading experts to refine our technology. 2. Ethical and Regulatory Barriers: Shifting from traditional animal models to organ-on-chip systems posed ethical and regulatory challenges. We proactively engaged with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and advocate for the acceptance of our technology as a valid alternative to animal testing. 3. Scalability: Scaling our technology to meet global demand was challenging. We addressed this by implementing automation and high-throughput systems, allowing us to produce and deploy our chips efficiently. Through innovation, collaboration, and strategic planning, we successfully navigated these challenges, advancing our goal of improving global health outcomes.

6. How did you engage local communities and stakeholders in your work, and what was their feedback? (150 Words Limit)

We actively engaged local communities and stakeholders by highlighting the innovative potential of our organ-on-chip technology in reducing animal trials and enhancing drug development. With funding from both a private investor and state support, we organized public talks, and partnerships with local universities to showcase our work. These events emphasized the ethical and scientific benefits of our approach, fostering strong community support. We also plan collaboration with local healthcare providers and research institutions, inviting them to participate in our studies and share insights. Their feedback till now was positive, praising our technology for its potential to revolutionize cancer research and personalized medicine. Stakeholders appreciated our ethical stance and commitment to advancing science while reducing reliance on animal testing. This engagement not only built trust but also positioned us as leaders in the community’s push towards innovative, humane, and effective healthcare solutions.

7. Which organizational skills and resources did you use to deliver goods/services without harming the environment or society? (150 Words Limit)

To deliver our innovative organ-on-chip technology while minimizing environmental impact, we focused on sustainability and responsible practices. 1. Sustainable Materials: We prioritized the use of sustainable, eco-friendly materials in our lab, reducing waste and minimizing our carbon footprint. By selecting biodegradable or recyclable materials for our chips and lab processes, we aligned our operations with our commitment to environmental stewardship. 2. Efficient Resource Management: We implemented energy-efficient systems and optimized resource usage in our production processes. This includes reducing water and energy consumption in our lab, ensuring that our operations are both sustainable and cost-effective. 3. Ethical Research Practices: Our commitment to eliminating animal trials not only advances ethical standards in research but also contributes to societal well-being. By focusing on human-relevant models, we avoid the ethical and environmental concerns associated with traditional animal testing. These organizational skills and resources ensure that our innovations are delivered responsibly, supporting both environmental sustainability and societal health.

8. In your view what roles do businesses, governments, and civil society should play in achieving the SDGs, and how can they collaborate effectively? (150 Words Limit)

1. Businesses: Companies like ours must innovate responsibly, developing technologies like organ-on-chip systems that advance healthcare while prioritizing sustainability and ethics. Businesses should also invest in research and development, driving forward personalized medicine and reducing reliance on animal trials. 2. Governments: Governments play a vital role by funding innovative research, as seen with our state support, and by creating policies that encourage ethical and sustainable practices in healthcare. They can also streamline regulatory approvals for new technologies that offer safer, more effective treatments. 3. Civil Society: Civil society should advocate for responsible healthcare practices and support the adoption of new technologies that improve patient outcomes and reduce environmental impact. Public awareness and community engagement are essential for fostering trust and encouraging widespread adoption. Effective collaboration involves open communication, shared goals, and joint initiatives that leverage each sector’s strengths, leading to a healthier, more sustainable future.

9. What advice do you have for individuals or organizations aiming to create positive change and support the SDGs? (150 Words Limit)

To create positive change and support Good Health and Well-being, individuals and organizations should focus on a holistic approach. Promote accessible healthcare by supporting policies that ensure equitable access to medical services, especially in underserved areas. Encourage healthy lifestyles by offering education on nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being. For organizations, create a culture that prioritizes employee health through wellness programs and mental health support. Advocate for preventive care to reduce the burden of chronic diseases, and support initiatives that address the social determinants of health, such as clean water, sanitation, and safe housing. Partner with local communities to understand their specific needs and co-create solutions. Lastly, measure and share the impact of your initiatives to inspire others and continuously improve your efforts. By integrating these strategies, you can make meaningful contributions to the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

10. How would winning this SDG Award help you enhance your impact and expand your project? (150 Words Limit)

Winning the SDG Award would significantly amplify our impact in cancer research and innovative drug development. As an organ-on-chip startup, our focus on personalized medicine and reducing animal trials aligns with the goals of Good Health and Well-being. This recognition would provide us with increased visibility and credibility, helping us attract strategic partnerships and funding to accelerate our research. The award would enable us to scale our technology, enhancing its precision and accessibility. This, in turn, would allow us to test more drug candidates faster, offering tailored treatments to patients while minimizing the ethical concerns of animal testing. Additionally, the exposure from the award would facilitate collaborations with leading researchers and institutions, driving innovation and advancing the future of cancer treatment. Ultimately, this support would bring us closer to revolutionizing drug development and improving patient outcomes on a global scale.

11. What are your future objectives regarding your selected SDG? (150 Words Limit)

Our future objectives focus on expanding our research and development efforts to enhance the reliability and multifunctionality of our organ-on-chip platforms. By advancing this technology, we aim to make significant strides in personalized medicine, providing tailored cancer treatments that improve patient outcomes. We are committed to refining our platforms to better mimic human physiology, enabling more accurate drug testing and reducing the reliance on animal trials. Additionally, we plan to broaden our research scope to include a wider range of cancer types, ensuring our innovations benefit a larger population. As we grow, we will seek collaborations with academic institutions, healthcare providers, and industry leaders to accelerate the translation of our research into clinical applications. Ultimately, our goal is to make cutting-edge, patient-specific treatments more accessible and effective, contributing meaningfully to global efforts in advancing Good Health and Well-being.