Cherry Biotech and the EIC Accelerator: Organoids to Replace Animals

Cherry Biotech, registered in Montreuil near Paris in 2014, develops microphysiological systems, better known as organs-on-chips: its CubiX platform controls the environment around complex 3D cell cultures called organoids so that drug tests on human tissue better predict effects in patients and replace animal tests. Its EIC Accelerator project, ASTEROID, "Multi-organ toxicity and efficacy test platform for personalized medicine and drug development", receives an EU contribution of €2,499,831 and ran from September 2024 to June 2026, according to CORDIS. The goal was to industrialise its technologies and build a database of validated protocols for pharmaceutical users.

After its first year, the report says, the CubiX design had reached TRL 7 for research use, with software rebuilt for production, modular hardware for two of three main components and a quality management system in place, according to CORDIS. Protocols for adipose tissue organoids and patient-derived breast cancer organoids were validated with customers, and two were in its "Cherry Bio App Store". The company reports maintaining mature human fat tissue for 28 days with a growing blood vessel network, and says its breast cancer model replicated one patient's clinical response to treatment. The report lists "anticipation of post EIC accelerator financing needs" as ongoing work.

Where Cherry Biotech Stands Now

Cherry sells organoid plates and contract research services. In December 2025 it agreed with Atelerix to use its hydrogel technology to ship organoid plates without cold chains, and in February 2026 it partnered with Cytion for access to more than 800 cell lines for its OrganoidPlates, according to Cherry Biotech. Its reported net result swung from a €707,000 loss in 2024 to a €1.14 million profit in 2025, according to the INPI financial ratios, which do not report its revenue. No equity funding round has been announced.

The Technology: Organs in a Controlled Box

Organoids are miniature, simplified tissues grown from human cells. The EIC report argues that existing organ-on-chip systems have not reached the realism and workflow integration pharmaceutical companies need, which explains low adoption. CubiX controls the microenvironment around organoids precisely and dynamically, the report says. Changes in US and EU rules, including the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 of 2022, are pushing drug developers to reduce animal testing, the report notes.

What the EIC Award Promised, and What the Record Shows

The project has ended; only the first-year report is public. It documents engineering progress and two validated disease models. It does not report CubiX systems sold, protocol database size or customer numbers, which are the measure of industrialisation.

1. CubiX at TRL 7DeliveredProject report.
2. Validated organ model kitsTwo so farAdipose, breast cancer.
3. Industrial productionUnverifiedNo volumes.
4. Follow-on financingNot announcedReport flags need.

The Money

The award was blended finance, but no EIC Fund investment has been announced. Cherry Biotech has relied heavily on EU research money: its website lists EIC Transition and Pathfinder projects and earlier EU training networks alongside the Accelerator.

What Cannot Be Checked

Why Europe Should Care

The EIC report expects a European Commission roadmap on phasing out animal testing, which would create demand for validated human-tissue models. A European supplier with ready protocols would benefit. After twelve years, Cherry Biotech remains small.

The Verdict

Cherry Biotech and the EIC have not been asked for comment for this article. It is based entirely on public records and published statements, linked throughout.