RealBrain® Technology
InSphero and Tessara Therapeutics Partnership
Joining forces to accelerate CNS Drug Discovery
The future of neuroscience drug discovery depends on human-relevant models that can more accurately predict how potential therapies will affect the brain. Traditional 2D cultures and animal models often fail to capture the complexity of the human central nervous system (CNS), leading to costly late-stage failures.
To address this challenge, we have joined forces with Tessara Therapeutics, the innovator behind RealBrain® technology.
Together, we are combining our expertise in reliable, scalable, and reproducible 3D in vitro solutions for drug discovery with Tessara’s breakthrough synthetic extracellular matrix and neural modeling technology.
This collaboration enables researchers to identify CNS-active drug candidates faster, more cost-effectively, and with greater confidence.
RealBrain® Technology Overview
What is RealBrain®
RealBrain® is a human iPSC-derived 3D brain model that replicates key structural and functional features of the human brain in vitro.
It provides a predictive, physiologically relevant system that bridges the gap between cell culture and animal models, reducing reliance on less accurate methods.
How it works:
Neurons and glia self-organize into functional synaptic networks within Tessara’s proprietary synthetic hydrogel matrix.
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is engineered to promote maturation and stability, while also enabling the cells to secrete their own natural ECM over time.
The result is a highly reproducible, optically clear microtissue ideal for imaging, screening, and mechanistic studies.
Key Benefits of the RealBrain® Technology
RealBrain® technology has been designed with drug discovery in mind, offering unmatched performance for CNS research.
- Scalable – 96-well format ready, 384-well format in development
- Versatile – supports toxicity, efficacy, and target engagement studies
- Reproducible – batch-to-batch variability under 5% CV
- Optically clear – ideal for high-content imaging and analysis
- Optimal cell density – brain-mimetic structure for realistic neural behavior
- Physiologically relevant – functional neural networks with mature synaptic activity
RealBrain® Technology - Matrix-Guided Self-Assembly of Neural Microtissues
RealBrain® micro-tissues, from human iPSC-derived neural stem cells, differentiate and self-organise into stable 3D networks of neurons and glial cells within a self-secreted matrix, supporting electrical activity and synaptic function. Each well contains a single, uniform micro-tissue, enabling consistent results and scalable high-throughput drug discovery in standard microplate formats.
RealBrain® Matrix
Developing Networks
