Johnson & Johnson – Reimagining Human Model Systems QuickFire Challenge
Event details
| Date | 23.10.2026 |
| Category | Call for proposal |
Aim: Johnson & Johnson has launched the Reimagining Human Model Systems QuickFire Challenge to identify novel, scalable and physiologically relevant human tissue model systems that can improve the translatability, predictability and reliability of preclinical safety and pharmacology evaluations. Innovators worldwide with an interest in leveraging the Singapore ecosystem are invited to propose qualified alternatives to traditional animal models that more accurately mimic human biology.
Areas of interest include:
Funding: Up to $100,000 in award funding. Selected finalists will also be invited to present at a poster showcase in San Francisco during the week of 10–14 January 2027; travel costs will not be reimbursed.
How to Apply: Applications should be submitted through the QuickFire Challenge webpage. Proposals will be assessed for strategic alignment, novelty and differentiation, proof-of-concept feasibility and supporting data, key resources and development roadmap, team strengths and capabilities, and demonstrated interest in the Singapore innovation ecosystem. Proposal contents will not be treated as confidential; therefore, confidential information should not be submitted.
Deadline: 23 October 2026
Further information
Areas of interest include:
- Models of the liver, heart, gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, immune system and nervous systems, including the CNS, PNS and blood-brain barrier
- In vitro and ex vivo human-relevant models, organoids, organ-on-a-chip and lab-on-a-chip platforms, bioprinted tissues, iPSC-derived 3D-cell systems, tissue explants and other scalable, automated and AI-ready New Approach Methodologies
- Biologically characterized and reproducible systems that demonstrate pharmacological or toxicological relevance and, ideally, correlation with human clinical outcomes
- Multicellular models with a functional immune component for complex modalities such as T-cell engagers, immune modulators and CAR-T therapies, including lymph-node models capable of producing a verifiable primary immune response to a neoantigen
- Cross-species models using preclinical-species and human primary or iPSC-derived cells as in vitro-to-in vivo comparators
- Systems supporting high-throughput functional, imaging, molecular or multimodal assessment of human-relevant pharmacological and toxicological responses
- Models and workflows integrating AI/ML for virtual-cell models and predictive capabilities
Funding: Up to $100,000 in award funding. Selected finalists will also be invited to present at a poster showcase in San Francisco during the week of 10–14 January 2027; travel costs will not be reimbursed.
How to Apply: Applications should be submitted through the QuickFire Challenge webpage. Proposals will be assessed for strategic alignment, novelty and differentiation, proof-of-concept feasibility and supporting data, key resources and development roadmap, team strengths and capabilities, and demonstrated interest in the Singapore innovation ecosystem. Proposal contents will not be treated as confidential; therefore, confidential information should not be submitted.
Deadline: 23 October 2026
Further information
- More information can be found here
- For any other questions, please contact the Research Office
Practical information
- General public
- Free