iL‒CURRENT
March 25, 2026
Dr. Sylvia Boj: “Human biology can now be modeled with unprecedented precision”
Dr. Sylvia Boj’s keynote address, “From Bench to Bedside: Patient-Derived Organoids as Predictive Preclinical Systems” (“From the Lab Bench to the Bedside: Patient-Derived Organoids as Predictive Preclinical Systems”) at GENESIS 26 – The LIFE SCIENCE TECH DAY represents a fundamental shift in the life sciences: away from simplified models toward human-relevant systems that can more reliably predict patient outcomes. Building on her experience in establishing adult stem cell-based organoids in Hans Clevers’ laboratory, the further development of the technology into an industry-ready platform at HUB Organoids, and the current integration into Merck’s research and development ecosystem, Dr. Sylvia Boj combines scientific breakthroughs with practical implementation.
Organoids sit at the intersection of innovation, standardization, automation, and validation—while also addressing the growing momentum to reduce animal testing and enable better decisions earlier in drug development. Dr. Boj’s perspective highlights both the opportunities and the challenges still ahead, and inspires participants to unite around a shared mission: building the next generation of predictive, human-centered R&D.
Dr. Sylvia Boj, HUB Organoids, Merck Group. Photo: InnovationLab | Lukas Adler
Five Questions for … Sylvia Boj
Ms. Boj, while your postdoc‒time as EMBO‒fellow at Hubrecht Institute at laboratory of Hans Clever were you at involved involved of the human organoids from adult stem cells involved. In retrospect: Which decisive moments or insights have convinced convinced that this technology has preclinical research fundamentally transform ?
Sylvia Boj: I still remember well how excited Hans was when he showed me the first mouse intestinal organoid model that Toshiro had established in the lab—a 3D structure in which the crypts were clearly visible. To be honest, at that moment I hadn’t yet fully grasped just how transformative these models would eventually become. It was impressive to see how adult stem cells could develop into stable, self-organizing structures that retained the genetics and functional behavior of the original tissue. At first, the most obvious application seemed to lie in the field of regenerative medicine. The real “Eureka” moment, however, came when we realized how predictive these cultures were of patient response. It became clear: this wasn’t just another cell model—it was an entirely new conceptual framework for preclinical research. For the first time, we were able to bridge the gap between simple cell culture systems and the complexity of human biology in a way that was both experimentally manageable and scalable.
As co-founder of HUB Organoids have you to this contributed the organoid‒technology from an academic innovation in a industry-ready platform into . What were the greatest scientific and organizational challenges, to organoids robust, reproducible and scalable for the industrial use to ?
Boj: Turning an academic breakthrough into an industry-accepted platform was an incredibly exciting journey. In HUB’s early years, we invested a great deal of energy into building “living” biobanks that represented numerous patients—particularly in the field of oncology. As a spin-off from the lab where the technology was developed, we had the necessary knowledge and expertise to conduct experiments and assays ourselves—which eventually evolved into our service business. This led to early discussions with industry partners: first, to understand their requirements for patient-derived organoid assays, and then to adapt our processes accordingly.
Scientifically, we invested heavily in defining standardized culture conditions. This included the systematic testing and validation of high-quality reagents—growth factors, inhibitors, and other key components—to ensure the reliable expansion of various organoid models. Organizationally, we implemented quality systems, robust processes, clear documentation (laboratory manuals, SOPs), and training programs to guarantee reproducibility. Finally, to scale up, we had to completely rethink our workflows—from the biobank through assay development to screening—so that organoids could be produced, characterized, and tested with the consistency expected by the industry. All of this was only possible thanks to close collaboration between the teams from Research, Quality, Operations, and Business Development, as well as our long-standing partners.
“Reduce animal testing”
What is required the industry today most most urgently in human-relevant model systems – and how help organoids bridge bridge between preclinical research and patient outcomes ? ?
Boj: The industry increasingly needs models that accurately replicate human diseases, provide mechanistic insights, and are sufficiently predictive to reduce risks in drug development. Organoids meet these requirements by capturing patient diversity and preserving tissue architecture, genotype, and phenotype. They help bridge the translational gap by allowing the efficacy and toxicity of active compounds to be tested in a context that resembles the eventual target population.
This not only improves the quality of decision-making but also supports more ethical and efficient development pathways. Additionally, initiatives such as the FDA Modernization Act are accelerating efforts to reduce animal testing. This motivates both industry and technology developers to further validate and exploit the potential of organoids—either alone or in combination with microfluidic systems.
Now, regarding Merck: Where do you see the greatest opportunities for organoids over the next five years—and what limitations still need to be addressed?
Boj: As part of Merck, we have tremendous opportunities to further accelerate the use of patient-derived organoids as a superior in vitro platform for preclinical and basic research. I see great potential in at least three areas. First: early drug discovery. Human-relevant biology can guide target validation and hit prioritization, thereby increasing the likelihood of identifying compounds effective in patients. Second: safety assessment. This is particularly relevant for tissues for which sufficiently predictive models do not yet exist. Third: combination with AI approaches. Organoid data can be linked with AI-based methods to develop more precise translational models.
At the same time, limitations such as culture variability, limited throughput, and the integration of additional components—such as immune cells or microstructured environments—must continue to be addressed. Standardization and automation remain crucial to unlocking the full potential of these systems.
On stage at the Forum in Heidelberg: Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Sylvia Boj. Photo: InnovationLab | Lukas Adler
What message would you like to share with the participants of GENESIS 26?
Boj: We are living in a new era in which human biology can be modeled with unprecedented precision. But to realize this potential, we need genuine collaboration between science, startups, and industry. No single organization can drive this transformation on its own. If we combine innovative technologies with scientific excellence and rigorous validation, we have the opportunity to fundamentally reshape the development of successful therapies. I want participants to feel inspired and motivated: We now have the opportunity to further develop a technology that represents a true paradigm shift in drug development.
About the person
Sylvia Boj earned her Ph.D. from the University of Barcelona and completed her postdoctoral fellowship as an EMBO fellow at the Hubrecht Institute in Prof. Hans Clevers’ laboratory, where she was involved in the development of the first human organoids derived from adult stem cells. As a co-founder of HUB, she led programs on cystic fibrosis and pancreatic cancer and played a central role in transforming organoid technology from an academic breakthrough into a scalable, industry-ready platform.
As Scientific Director and later Chief Scientific Officer, Sylvia Boj shaped HUB’s scientific strategy, expanded international partnerships, and oversaw the successful commercialization of organoid-based assays for drug discovery and personalized medicine. Today at Merck, she is driving the integration of human-relevant biological models into R&D pipelines and accelerating the development of more effective therapies.
About HUB Organoids
HUB Organoids is a global leader in patient-derived organoid technology. Its patented platform enables drug developers to identify and validate clinical candidates in patient-relevant in vitro systems. The company bridges the gap between the laboratory and the clinic, helping to accelerate the development of more effective therapeutic solutions.
by Joachim Klaehn.
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