Harnessing innovation for 3D printed organs

Challenge Works is exploring opportunities to accelerate innovation in the development of 3D printed biological tissues and organs which have the potential to revolutionise medicine and provide vital alternatives for organ transplants.

The demand for organ replacements continues to outstrip supply, with over 100,000 people on the waiting list in the US alone compared to a supply of only 14,000 organ donors. In the UK, there are currently over 7000 people on the organ transplant waiting list, contributing to high public health costs (for example, to maintain someone with kidney failure on dialysis) as well as risk of deterioration and even death. Last year, over 420 people in the UK reportedly died whilst waiting for a transplant.

We urgently need alternative approaches to meet the global need for organ transplants, as well as other in-vitro applications including drug screening and disease modelling. 3D organ bioprinting is one solution being developed by scientists to tackle these challenges, offering the opportunity to manufacture biologically active 3D human organs grown from a patient’s own stem cells and using accurate computer models based on that patient’s specific parameters. This can allow clinicians and scientists to generate biological organs that are individualised and less susceptible to organ rejection, as well as bypassing the need to wait for donor organs.

However, we are still several years from seeing 3D printed organs, especially complex organs like a kidney, which are suitable for human transplants. Although progress has been made in printing simple organs like cartilage and skin, there remain major technical, ethical and regulatory barriers to overcome before this approach can become widespread and accessible to all for clinical purposes.

This is why Challenge Works is pursuing opportunities to use challenge prizes as a way to drive forward the development of this technology, as well as helping to create new regulatory standards and ensure that outcomes meet those standards.

The target is ambitious: a 3D printed organ that can demonstrate the same key aspects of biological function as a real human organ. Through a series of ex-vivo tests in the lab, innovators will have to show that the organ they have made can respond to biological stimuli like hormones, transport blood and other fluids needed to perform the function needed in the body. We won’t be transplanting organs into patients, but it’s one step closer to meeting that goal. Through bringing together the innovation potential of experts in advanced and high resolution 3D printing techniques, alongside those with expertise in cell culture and other important steps in the organ fabrication process experts, we know that great advances can be made.

3D bioprinting is an exciting area of development, and a lot of the foundational work is already in place. By providing the incentives and necessary support now, we can accelerate progress towards technologies that can transform our healthcare system.

We think this is an important topic – do you?

Challenge Works is seeking like-minded funders who also see this opportunity and want to work with us on developing our thinking around 3D printed organs. Arrange a call to speak with one of the team if you’re interested in taking this idea to the next stage.

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