A team of researchers at i3S, University of Porto, has developed a technology to test brain tumour therapies more quickly. GlioBrain-Plate reproduces in the laboratory the tumour together with the natural barrier that protects the brain and blocks more than 98% of medicines from entering.
In a single test, the platform makes it possible to assess whether a drug can reach the brain and act on the tumour. The solution could reduce costs, risks and animal testing, as well as help identify the most promising treatments earlier. The project won first prize at BIP Acceleration 2026.


