July 22, 2015 | By Simon
As we continue to see both an increase in 3D bioprinting applications as well as an increase in the total number of companies that are entering the 3D bioprinting space, it’s becoming clear that what might have once been considered science fiction is on its way towards becoming an everyday reality.
While many companies - such as Organovo - have been actively designing and creating multi-cellular, dynamic and functional human tissues for use in drug discovery and medical research, other companies have been looking into 3D bioprinting for food production, cosmetic testing and more. Unsurprisingly, the technology has also been a hot topic for both private corporations and governments around the world who are looking to help push the limits in an effort to make groundbreaking discoveries.
Today, South Korean 3D printing market leader Rokit announced that they have received $3 million from the South Korean government to develop a 3D bioprinting system for skin regeneration.
Up until now, the South Korean 3D printer manufacturer has been among the fastest growing companies in Asia’s rapidly growing additive manufacturing industry. The company has already created a line of desktop 3D printers including the H700, Pro, Multi, AEP, S and Chocosketch printer models.
The company, along with renowned South Korean medicine research organizations including the Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Hanyang University and the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), will be focusing their efforts on developing a 3D bioprinter system that is capable of producing living tissues that are suitable for transplantation. In total, the project is expected to last three years.
Considering that the 3D bioprinting market was valued at around $10 billion in 2013 and has only continued to expand rapidly since, it’s not surprising that governments want to get on board with advancing the technology.
“Traditional Autografts and commercially available skin products are limited in supply and it’s common for production to require lengthy preparation time, making them unusable in severe cases which require prompt usage,” explains the company.
“In addition to this production issue, transplantation involves number of biological side-effects which cause patients to take other surgeries to relieve side-effects. Bio-printing technology effectively resolves such problems in transplantation.”
Just earlier today, Rokit won an award from CHOSUN TV, one of the country’s oldest and most famous newspapers in recognition for their contribution towards advancing South Korea’s 3D printer industries. If this is any indication, then Rokit just might be one of the hottest 3D printing companies to watch in the next three years.
Posted in 3D Printing Company
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