HANGZHOU, CHINA — The International Society of Organoid Research (ISoOR) convened its 2026 Organoid Clinical Transformation Summit in Hangzhou on August 18. Held under the theme "From Biological Models to Credible Evidence — Standardization and Clinical Practice of Organoids," the event brought together leaders from clinical medicine, academia, industry, and investment.
As organoids increasingly transition into drug discovery, precision medicine, and clinical translation, the sector is shifting its focus from basic model construction to robust evidence generation. Industry stakeholders noted that stability, reproducibility, and methodologically validated data are now critical for achieving broader adoption. In addition, recent policy support—such as China's inclusion of tumour organoid culture and drug-sensitivity testing in its national medical-service pricing framework—is providing further backing for standardized clinical use.
The summit opened with a welcoming address by ISoOR Chairman Prof. Peter E. Lobie. Subsequent forum sessions featured discussions on recent advancements and trends in tumor organoid drug-sensitivity testing, thyroid and ophthalmic applications, automated systems, drug development, and internationally aligned biobanking standards.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Wu Lijuan of the PLA Western Theater Command General Hospital highlighted that consistent standards remain a fundamental prerequisite for deploying organoid technology effectively in precision oncology and translating clinical potential into tangible patient benefits. Meanwhile, Prof. Shen Chongyang of the Chengdu University of TCM outlined international policy developments regarding New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), predicting that the first jointly validated NAMs applicable in specific contexts without repeated validation could emerge around 2028.
A cross-sector roundtable discussion, moderated by Dr. Zhou Yi of AimingMed, examined collaborative pathways for research institutions, clinicians, industry players, and investors to convert scientific validation into clinical and commercial value.
A key milestone of the summit was the official launch of the International Center for Organoid Research and Enterprise (ICORE). Initiated by ISoOR, the new center is designed to support ongoing research, technical validation, clinical translation, international cooperation, and industry incubation. Nine companies joined ICORE as founding members. AimingMed, a medical technology company specializing in organoid R&D, production, research services, and clinical testing—including its MasterAim® organoid culture system, OSCAR-AI automation platform, and biobanks—will contribute its expertise to ICORE's joint research and translational programs.
"The formal launch of the International Center for Organoid Research and Enterprise highlights a crucial shift in the biotech sector toward standardization and collaborative scaling. As organoids move deeper into clinical translation and drug discovery, establishing unified cross-sector frameworks, automated platforms, and regulatory alignment will be essential for commercial viability and broader clinical adoption. This initiative creates a structured pathway for research institutions, industry players, and investors to bridge the gap between scientific validation and market readiness." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
