NIH Launches First National Organoid Development Center to Advance Human-Based Research Models

Bethesda, MD — September 25, 2025 — In a landmark move to accelerate biomedical innovation and reduce reliance on animal models, the The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced the creation of the Standardized Organoid Modeling (SOM) Center—the nation’s first dedicated organoid development hub. Backed by $87 million in initial funding,the center will be housed at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR) and serve as a national resource for reproducible, scalable, and patient-relevant organoid technologies.

Organoids—miniaturized, lab-grown models of human organs—have emerged as powerful tools for disease modeling, drug screening, and personalized medicine. Yet, their widespread adoption has been hampered by inconsistent protocols and limited reproducibility across labs. The SOM Center aims to change that by integrating artificial intelligence, robotics, and diverse human cell sources to standardize organoid production and validation.

“This groundbreaking initiative will transform how we conduct biomedical research through innovative approaches to advancing human-based technologies,” said NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.

Strategic Objectives and Capabilities

• Protocol Standardization: Development of validated, reproducible organoid methodologies for liver, lung, heart, and intestinal models, with expansion to additional organ systems.
• Open Access Infrastructure: Public repositories for protocols, datasets, and physical organoid samples to foster global collaboration.
• Regulatory Alignment: Partnership with the FDA to ensure organoid models meet preclinical testing standards, streamlining drug development and safety assessments.
• Advanced Technologies: Deployment of AI and machine learning for protocol optimization, and robotics for high-throughput organoid production.

The SOM Center will support a broad spectrum of stakeholders—from academic researchers and clinicians to industry partners and educators. A newly formed Scientific Advisory Board, comprising internationally recognized experts, will guide the center’s strategic direction and ensure alignment with evolving scientific and regulatory needs.

Collaborative Framework

The initiative is spearheaded by the NIH Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, in collaboration with multiple NIH institutes including NCI, NIAID, NHGRI, NCATS, and the Office of Research on Women’s Health. This cross-institutional approach underscores NIH’s commitment to advancing human-relevant research while minimizing animal use.

You can read the full source article on the NIH website. It details the launch of the Standardized Organoid Modeling (SOM) Center, the first national initiative dedicated to developing reproducible, scalable organoid models to reduce reliance on animal testing.