The digitalization of clinical trials, backed by alternative technology platforms, is positioned to operate as a critical differentiator by reducing regulatory compliance and speeding the process through real-time data collection on medication safety. To expedite this process, the Union Health Ministry recently issued a draught notification that created a new avenue for alternative technology platforms to establish the safety and efficacy of investigational drugs.

Several experts have claimed that this move is very encouraging for Indian researchers working on drug development and research, as it will pave the way for innovation and new technologies. They added that with newer technologies, preclinical trials can be conducted on human tissues and cells grown in laboratories through alternative technology platforms like human organ-on-chips, micro-physiological systems, and other in vitro or cell-based assays. As a result, this will significantly reduce the duration of research, the cost of developing novel drugs, and the availability of efficient therapies.

By introducing legislation that no longer requires animal testing for FDA clearance of novel pharmaceuticals, the US has already established a precedent and signaled a fundamental shift towards computer modeling, organ chips, and other technology platforms for preclinical studies.

The success rate of experimental pharmaceuticals in clinical trials can be increased by 70–80% using cutting-edge technologies. Organs-on-chips are one such example, and this technology makes it feasible to comprehend how drugs interact with human organs in ways that were previously impossible.

Organ-on-a-chip technologies are cutting-edge cell culture models that precisely replicate human physiology. They are intended to develop miniaturized biological testing systems that imitate human organs on small chips. The three-dimensional microfluidic devices that embody these technologies can imitate the functions and physiology of biological organs, in contrast to cells cultured in 2D monolayered laboratory dishes. This, in turn, can boost the success rate of the experimental medications entering clinical trials. By evaluating the genetic variations between patients and also influencing how the body reacts to a drug, organ-on-a-chip labs can help improve the mechanistic understanding of drug toxicities. This also facilitates the process of developing personalized medicine to enhance the ability to find better solutions for patients and carers.

As this model and technology advance, patient-derived stem cells may be used to create individualized organ-on-a-chip models. This achievement in biomedical engineering is poised to revolutionize the future of drug discovery when combined with other cutting-edge technological platforms.