May 25, 2016 | By Tess
Israel based company Nano Dimension had made a name for itself within the 3D printing world for its innovative 3D printing technology used to manufacture complex electronic printed circuit boards (PCBs). The company, which was founded in 2012 has since become one of the leading forces in 3D printed electronics and was even featured on Gartner’s list of Cool Vendors in 3D printing earlier this week. Now, as explained in a recent announcement by the company, Nano Dimension is further expanding its scope beyond just 3D printed electronics into the field of 3D bioprinting.
Earlier today, Nano Dimension announced their collaboration with Israeli biotech firm Accellta Ltd. through which they were able to successfully lab-test a proof of concept 3D bioprinter for stem cell printing. Accellta, which was founded in 2012 by the Alfred Man Institute at Technion (AMIT), has been recognized for its development of proprietary technologies in the production of stem cells, progenitors, and differentiated cells for the development of new drugs, as well as regenerative medicine and research. The proof of concept for their novel 3D bioprinter was tested within 2016’s second quarter, which began on April 1st.
By combining their respective printing and biotech technologies and expertise, Nano Dimension and Accellta may have found the key to 3D bioprinting large volumes of high resolution cells in a time effective manner. Nano Dimension’s advanced 3D inkjet technology, which is capable of rapidly and precisely manufacturing complex, multi-material parts, and which has thus far been used for the production of high quality PCBs, could, as the companies show, be adapted for use for other multi-material manufacturing like 3D bioprinting.
Amit Dror, CEO of nano Dimension, explains in a press release, “3D printing of living cells is a technology that is already playing a significant role in medical research, but in order to reach its full potential, for the field to evolve further, there is a need to improve printing speeds, print resolution, cell control and viability as well as cell availability and bio-ink technologies. By combining our high speed, high precision inkjet capabilities with Accellta's stem cell suspension technologies and induced differentiation capabilities led by a world-renown group of experienced engineers and scientists, we can enable 3D printing at high resolution and high volumes.”
Accellta Ltd. has thus been a crucial part of the bioprinting advancement. With its unique and innovative suspension-based cell culturing systems, the company is capable of efficiently producing billions of high quality stem cells. Of course, and this goes without saying, large quantities of stem cells are needed for 3D bioprinting and for the development of bio-inks, especially when complex tissues and large organs are at stake.
"Accellta and Nano Dimension have joined forces in this initial trial to evaluate and adapt the joint potential of our technologies,” says Dr. Itzchak Angel, Chairman and CEO of Accellta. “We hope and believe that this will bring the mutual capabilities and know-how of both companies to create 3D bioprinting solutions that combine a high precision, high-throughput printer with dedicated bio-ink technologies, derived from stem cells. By enabling high precision 3D bioprinting and differentiation of stem cells into required tissues, our combined technologies have the potential to enable vast areas of development. We are very excited about these initial results and what the future holds.”
The announcement marks the beginning of what seems like a very fruitful collaboration, as both Nano Technologies and Accellta are discussing the possibility of forming a new entity to further develop the 3D bioprinting solutions. According to a press release, “The companies…do not intend intend to invest significant capital directly to expand this activity. Such funds would be raised by and for the use of the joint entity.”
3D bioprinting as a field in itself is quickly growing, as market research firm IDTechEx expects the industry to grow from $481 million in 2014 to $6 billion in 2024. As we well know, the advancement of 3D bioprinting could have a big impact on the healthcare industry, revolutionizing pre-clinical drug discovery and testing, toxicology assays, as well as creating organic tissues and organs.
Posted in 3D Printer
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Amazing ,Another breaktrough from Israel!
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