Research Results Expected to Lead to New Business Opportunities

The author is an analyst of NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at pk.park@nhqv.co. -- Ed.

 

Recently, results on transplanting 3D printed artificial livers in animals were published in Advanced Materials, the world’s most prestigious materials science journal. Following the co-development projects between T&R Biofab and B. Braun Korea and T&R Biofab and J&J, we expect to see growth in the alternative preclinical toxicity testing field, a market that is garnering particular attention in the pharma industry.

3D printed artificial liver transplant results published in Advanced Materials

In materials science, a paper on successful 3D printed artificial liver transplants in animals was published in the world-leading journal Advanced Materials. Compared to the in vitro research results previously presented in the journal Small, the research achievements have taken another leap forward with in vivo data.

The core of the research is: 1) one-time printing; 2) realization of liver lobules with blood vessels; 3) successful stabilization after transplantation in vivo; and 4) possible mass production with a single head. In particular, as the vascular endothelial cells are printed, the liver function is realized through high expression of proteins such as albumin.

Where can we use the technology? Liver toxicity preclinical testing

Artificial organs have great potential to expand into various fields, but the field that the pharma industry is paying greatest attention to right now is preclinical toxicity testing. The biggest concern of new drug development companies, including global pharmas, is the failure of new drug development, and hepatotoxicity preclinical testing is a major contributor to this. In other words, there are many cases in which preclinical candidates fail in clinical trials because in vitro and animal cells and human cells are completely different. We expect to see increased interest in organoids, especially livers, kidneys, and hearts, which are important in toxicity studies.

AstraZeneca and 3D bioprinting company Celllink are joint developing 3D bioprinted liver organoids for new drug development, and a number of big pharmas are securing next-generation drug testing methods. We expect the in vitro toxicity testing market and the preclinical CRO market to reach a respective US$14.9bn and US$7.8bn, in 2025.

New business possible following existing soft tissue and hard tissue scaffolds

The research results announced by T&R Biofab are the best in the world in high-impact journals. We note that the firm already prepared for key patents such as the manufacture of printed matter with a single-sided pattern two years ago, and it has completed patent registration in the US, Japan, and Korea. Also, registration is under review in China and Europe. The fact that the results were published in Advanced Materials means that the data package from technical contents and patents has been completed. And, going forward, we expect this to lead to new business opportunities in addition to the ongoing J&J and B. Braun Korea projects.

Copyright © BusinessKorea. Prohibited from unauthorized reproduction and redistribution