Intero Biosystems Has Developed Human Organoids

The Denver-based startup creates intestinal models to improve pharmaceutical drug testing.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Biotech

Intero Biosystems Has Developed Human Organoids

Live Poll

Should drugmakers prioritize non-animal testing methods even if they are not yet fully validated?

Denver startup Intero Biosystems has launched its GastroScreen human intestinal organoids to provide alternatives to animal-based drug testing. The company is currently showcasing its technology during the Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt.

Why it matters

Discrepancies between human and animal physiology often lead to drug development failures, prompting regulatory shifts toward non-animal testing methods. These organoids offer a path for developers to test compounds using models derived from human cells.

Intero Biosystems produces GastroScreen organoids, which are 1-millimeter structures derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. The company currently ships these models in tubes containing approximately 100 units per shipment.

The players

Intero Biosystems

This Denver-based biotech startup specializes in creating human intestinal organoids for drug testing.

FDA

The Food and Drug Administration is the federal agency responsible for regulating drug testing standards and safety validation protocols.

The details

The startup utilizes induced pluripotent stem cells to replicate multiple cell and tissue types found in the human intestine. With seven employees, the company is managing current operations for under 10 active customers while preparing for scaled manufacturing.

Intero Biosystems was founded in 2024.
The FDA announced plans to reduce reliance on animal testing in April 2025.
The FDA issued draft guidance for non-animal testing methods in March 2026.
The startup is participating in the TechCrunch Disrupt event from October 13 to 15, 2026.

The Tech Race

This development marks a shift from legacy animal-based drug screening toward precision tissue engineering. It positions Intero Biosystems as a new competitor in the evolving biotech landscape, challenging traditional methods by leveraging regulatory support for non-animal testing.

While this technology currently targets pharmaceutical developers, its success could eventually lead to faster drug development timelines. Future applications in personalized medicine may allow for tailored treatments based on a patient's own specific cells.

The takeaway

Drug development is increasingly moving toward laboratory-grown human tissue models to bypass the limitations of animal testing. Investors and industry observers are watching how these small-scale startups scale production to meet the demands of global pharmaceutical companies.