Seems like the market likes this story: 3D systems getting into bio printing.
Although it's for scaffolding, which Organovo doesn't need. At least now a ONVO lockstep with DDD will make more sense...
3D Systems and United Therapeutics Announce Bioprinting Agreement
BY PR Newswire
— 6:00 AM ET 04/26/2017
ROCK HILL, S.C. and SILVER SPRING, Md., April 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 3D Systems and United Therapeutics Corporation ( UTHR ) today announced plans to develop solid-organ scaffolds for human transplants. The multi-year collaboration and development agreement combines the 3D printing and precision healthcare expertise of 3D Systems ( DDD ) with the regenerative medicine and organ manufacturing capabilities of United Therapeutics ( UTHR ).
3D Systems ( DDD ) will collaborate with United Therapeutics ( UTHR ) 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 ( DDD ) is a major step forward in creating an unlimited supply of tolerable transplanted organs," said Martine Rothblatt, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United Therapeutics ( UTHR ). "By cellularizing scaffolds created with 3D Systems ( DDD) 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," said Vyomesh Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of 3D Systems ( DDD ). "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 ( UTHR ) to provide healthcare solutions of the future."
"Combining the resources of United Therapeutics ( UTHR ) and 3D Systems ( DDD ) transforms our capability to tackle this difficult challenge," said Chuck Hull, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, 3D Systems ( DDD ). "This project will be based out of our new bioprinting lab in San Diego, CA, and will rely on expertise across many technical disciplines within 3D Systems ( DDD ) as well as the domain knowledge of our technical partners at Lung Biotechnology PBC."
The collaboration and joint development will add another technology alternative to United Therapeutics' ( UTHR ) pursuit of an unlimited supply of organs for human transplantation.
"Our Lung Biotechnology public benefit corporation is taking personal regenerative medicine to its highest level yet with this practical, economic solution to a major health care problem," concluded Dr. Rothblatt. "Indeed, we expect one personalized organ transplant will avoid years of health care spending on palliative medical therapies."
