
IQ MPS
IQ Microphysiological Systems Affiliate
An Affiliate of the International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Drug Development
About Us
The IQ MPS is a collaboration of pharmaceutical and biotechnologies companies created as an Affiliate within the International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development (also known as the IQ Consortium) to provide a venue for appropriate cross-pharma collaboration and data sharing to facilitate the industry implementation and qualification of MPS models. The IQ Consortium is a leading science-focused, not-for-profit organization with a mission of advancing science and technology to augment the capability of member companies to develop transformational solutions that benefit patients, regulators and the broader R&D community (https://iqconsortium.org).
The IQ MPS Affiliate is a not-for-profit organization devoted to raising awareness, advancing the science, and supporting the implementation of microphysiological systems in drug discovery. As such, the IQ MPS Affiliate does not collectively endorse microphysiological systems developers or their products. Presentations to the IQ MPS Affiliate are for awareness and information purposes. Individual IQ MPS Affiliate member organizations may engage external organizations as they see fit.

Leadership
​
The Steering Committee provides strategic oversight of the initiative's portfolio and is the primary decision-making body for the IQ MPS Affiliate. The Steering Committee has representation from all member companies and acts on the recommendations of working groups and member companies to establish objectives, policies, and plans of action on a consensus basis.
​
The Executive Committee provides leadership and guidance in the management of the business and affairs of the consortium between meetings of the Steering Committee, implements strategic plans recommended by the Steering Committee, and provides general counsel and tactical advice in support of IQ MPS’s Working Groups.
Jason Ekert, PhD, MBA
Past Chair (2022-2024)
Head, US Discovery Translational Technology
UCB
Rhiannon Hardwick, PhD, DABT
Chair (2022-2024)
Scientific Associate Director,
Bristol Myers Squibb
Anna Kopec, PhD
Vice Chair (2022-2024)
Senior Principal Scientist, Drug Safety Research & Development,
Pfizer
Rhiannon David, PhD
Vice Chair Elect (2023-2024)
Director of MPS, Safety Assessment,
AstraZeneca
Read More
​
Working Groups
​
​
Publish manuscripts outlining organ-specific industry requirements for MPS platforms.
Organotypic Manuscripts
Identify opportunities to engage with health authorities globally on topics related to MPS qualification.
Regulatory
Outreach
Initiate near-term proof of concept study (POC) study for data sharing or prospective collaboration for qualifying MPS system(s) based on specific COUs.
Pilot Project
Teams
Communicate industry perspective and build relationships with key MPS stakeholder to enhance the inclusion of industry priorities.
Strategic Partnerships and Communication
Gap Survey
Conduct and analyze a survey benchmarking how pharmaceutical companies are currently using microphysiological models.
Members
AbbVie, Inc.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Amgen, Inc
Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
AstraZeneca
Biogen
Boehringer Ingelheim
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Eisai, Inc.
Eli Lilly and Company
F. Hoffmann-La Roche
Genentech, Inc.
GSK
​
Incyte
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck Healthcare KGaA
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Novo Nordisk
Pfizer
Sanofi
Servier
Takeda
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
UCB