Intestinal permeability model
TIM Cell
TIM Cell is a state-of-the-art organ-on-a-chip model with Caco-2 cells, enabling accurate assessment of intestinal permeability. Using TIM (fed or fasted) effluents, active (pharmaceutical) ingredient permeability can be evaluated under relevant physiological conditions. TIM Cell is typically used to predict oral drug absorption to confidently select/confirm candidates to avoid late stage development risks.
Why permeability matters
The gut wall plays a central role in determining whether active ingredients, nutrients, or drugs reach their target effectively. Evaluating their ability to cross the intestinal barrier is therefore essential. Insufficient permeability can result in inconsistent absorption, reduced efficacy, or unexpected side effects posing risks for product development and clinical success.
Applications
Bridge the gap between bioaccessibility and absorption
TIM Cell can be used to determine the apparent permeability of active pharmaceutical ingredients as such or in formulations at physiological intestinal luminal concentrations. TIM Cell can help bridge the gap between dissolution data and bioavailability prediction, especially for low-permeability compounds such as BCS Class III and IV molecules.
TIM Cell enables accurate assessment of intestinal permeability, helping you to benchmark, rank, and select formulations (e.g. related to inhibiting or enhancing factors, formulation characteristics).
Combine with TIM Upper GI bioaccessibility (dissolution) data for the most accurate prediction of absorption (fraction absorbed; Fa%) and formulation performance and even better input for TIM PK!
Unique features
- Dynamic environment (continuous flow)
- A physiological extracellular matrix to support cell differentiation
- Covered by mucus in physiological concentrations
- Determine apparent permeability (Papp) at luminal concentration of the formulated API/Active compound
- Combined with TIM effluents (fasted or fed) for accurate prediction of absorption
Get in contact
We are excited to hear what’s on your plate and how we can help you understand what happens to your product during digestion!
