3D Systems and United Therapeutics Corporation announced plans to develop solid-organ scaffolds for human transplants. The multi-year collaboration and development agreement combines the 3D printing with the regenerative medicine and organ manufacturing capabilities of United Therapeutics.
3D Systems will collaborate with United Therapeutics and its organ manufacturing and transplantation-focused subsidiary, Lung Biotechnology PBC. The agreement focuses on development of 3D printing systems for solid-organ scaffolds, beginning with lung scaffolds.
The printing system will target collagen and other building block proteins as scaffold raw materials. Lung Biotechnology PBC will cellularize the scaffolds with patient-specific biological material, including re-differentiated stem cells.
"Our partnership with 3D Systems is a major step forward in creating an unlimited supply of tolerable transplanted organs," Martine Rothblatt, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United Therapeutics said. "By cellularizing scaffolds created with 3D Systems printers with a patient's own cells, there will no longer be a need for immunosuppression and a vastly greater number of patients can extend their enjoyment of life through organ transplantation."
"As a global leader in healthcare solutions, we are part of many developments and applications for 3D printing coming together including bioprinting," Vyomesh Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of 3D Systems said. "We believe bioprinting is a powerful opportunity and we are uniquely positioned with the broadest portfolio of technologies to partner with companies of the caliber of United Therapeutics to provide healthcare solutions of the future."