The Organ-on-a-Chip Revolution: Re-engineering Preclinical Science for the Next Generation of Medicine

Abstract

Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) systems represent a paradigm shift in biomedical research, developed to address the profound limitations of conventional preclinical models. For decades, the drug development process has been hampered by exorbitant costs and high clinical failure rates, largely due to the poor predictive accuracy of 2D cell cultures and animal models. This review critically assesses the role of OoC technology in creating a new preclinical standard. It examines the core principles of micro physiological systems, from design and fabrication to their application in disease modeling, efficacy screening, and predictive toxicology. The analysis contrasts the capabilities of OoCs with traditional methods, highlighting their superior physiological relevance and potential to de-risk clinical development. While synthesizing current successes, this review also identifies persistent challenges—notably in scalability, standardization, and regulatory adoption—and outlines future directions to realize the full promise of OoC platforms. By advocating for robust validation and strategic implementation, this report aims to frame the impactful integration of organ-on-a-chip technology into the future of medicine.