Intero Biosystems creates adult stem-cell–derived human organoids to transform safety and toxicity testing. The company’s miniature human organ or organoid platform removes the need for animal testing, improves predictive accuracy, and helps companies bring safer products to market—aligning with global regulatory shifts toward ethical, scalable, and sustainable testing methods.
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Charlie Childs
Charlie Childs is the co-founder and CEO of Intero Biosystems, where she is developing advanced stem-cell-derived human organoid models for safety testing. She holds a B.S. in biology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and earned her Ph.D. in cell and developmental biology from the University of Michigan, where she also completed an embedded M.S. in computational medicine and bioinformatics.
TECHNOLOGY
Critical Need
Current safety and toxicity testing methods rely heavily on animals and outdated, simplistic cell culture models, which often fail to predict how products will affect the human body. The lack of human-relevant models contributes to costly product failures and safety risks. Additionally, regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union are actively advancing legislation to reduce animal testing in favor of more predictive, human-relevant models such as organoids. There is an urgent need for alternative models that are scalable, sustainable, and predictive, and that more accurately mimic human biology.
Technology Vision
Intero Biosystems is revolutionizing safety and toxicity testing by developing adult stem-cell-derived human organoids, or "mini-organs," that replicate key aspects of human biology. This technology provides a more ethical, efficient, and predictive platform for evaluating the safety of chemicals, food additives, agricultural products, and other substances that may pose risks to humans. By bridging the gap between cutting-edge science and practical application, Intero’s platform reduces reliance on animal models, enhances regulatory confidence, and helps companies bring safer products to market—contributing to improved public health and environmental sustainability.
Potential for Impact
Imagine a world where drug development, chemical safety, environmental research, and more no longer rely on animals—but instead begin with advanced, human-relevant systems. With organoids as the new standard, we can accelerate the development of safer, more effective products while significantly reducing harmful human exposures and environmental impact. Regulatory decisions would be rooted in human biology rather than proxy models, ensuring greater safety before products ever reach the public. Organoid-based testing has the power to transform how we assess risk, protect public health, and fuel sustainable innovation across industries.
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Intero Biosystems