| Abstract | Background & Aim: Bioprinting technology shows tremendous translational promise in regenerative medicine. By enabling the controlled combination of cells and biomaterials to form tissue therapeutics, bioprinting may be integral to the next generation of cell-based therapies. At Aspect Biosystems, we are working to make this a reality using microfluidic 3D bioprinting to develop implantable tissue therapeutics. Our preclinical R&D team is developing a pipeline of tissue therapeutics in collaboration with leaders in the field. In order to expand and diversify the potential applications of the technology, we also provide the bioprinting platform to experts in academia who share our goal of developing tissue therapeutics. Through the growth of our Discovery Ecosystem, we aim to accelerate translation of tissue therapeutics to the clinic by fostering collaboration between an interdisciplinary network of experts. Here, we describe some early work resulting from our partnerships with academic researchers and our vision of a translational path for bioprinted tissue therapeutics.
Methods, Results & Conclusion: Microfluidic 3D bioprinting combines microfluidic printheads with extrusion bioprinting to precisely pattern cells and biomaterials into functional tissue structures. Our lead therapeutic program involves developing an implantable tissue therapeutic to treat type 1 diabetes. Aggregates of insulin-producing cells are encapsulated in multishell, protective hydrogel fibres and patterned into implants that successfully regulate blood glucose in diabetic rodents for several months. A similar approach is being used to bioprint encapsulated hepatocyte spheroids to treat liver failure. Other highlighted work includes fabrication of a cardiac patch to restore function following heart attack, engineered salivary gland tissue to treat dry mouth caused by cancer treatment, replacement cornea to cure corneal blindness, bioprinted neural tissue with potential applications in treating spinal cord injury or Parkinson’s disease, and strategies for vascularizing tissue constructs. Creating a bioprinted therapeutic is a complex, multifaceted process requiring deep under-standing and a high degree of control at every step. Realizing the clinical potential of bioprinting will require expertise across disciplines and research fields. By bringing together biologists, engineers, biomaterials scientists, and clinicians through the Discovery Ecosystem we envision the development of bioprinted therapeutics for a broad range of conditions. |
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