CELLnTEC Advanced Cell Systems AG uses its culture medium to engineer liver cells in Brussels; world’s first customized bioprinted liver for clinical use

EU research project uses CELLnTEC culture medium to engineer liver cells

Brussels - A specialized culture medium from CELLnTEC is being used to support the development of the first customized bioprinted liver. Through this work, the Bern-based life sciences specialist is making an important contribution to the EU project NEOLIVER. Its participation was guided by Euresearch, the Swiss advisory network for EU research framework programs.

( CONNECT ) CELLnTEC Advanced Cell Systems AG is one of 12 partners in the European NEOLIVER project – and it is playing a key role. The project aims to produce small, lab-grown liver cell structures, and this requires a special culture medium that was co-developed by CELLnTEC, a University of Bern spin-off based in Bern. NEOLIVER is co-funded by the EU research program Horizon Europe and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation with a total of 10 million euros. Under the leadership of Utrecht University, the 12 consortium members, including Swiss participants CELLnTEC, the Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique ( CSEM ) and Kugelmeiers Ltd . from Erlenbach in the canton of Zurich, are working toward developing the world’s first customized bioprinted liver for clinical use. To achieve this, two bioprinting technologies are being combined to develop this Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP).

“The culture medium we helped develop is a key prerequisite for ensuring that the different cell types in the project work together reliably,” Head of R&D at CELLnTEC, Stefan Bärtschi, is quoted as saying. A suitable medium provides a stable biological foundation that directly supports the development of safe, reproducible, and functional liver constructs. Through previous projects, CELLnTEC gained the expertise required to develop a medium that is not only more biologically effective but also free of animal-derived materials – a decisive advantage, explains Bärtschi, because such a medium is easier to control and standardize, and is more attractive from a regulatory standpoint.

The project is currently in the first half of its four-year term. In June, the project partners met in Aachen, Germany to coordinate the next steps. CELLnTEC is now finalizing the formulation of the culture medium and plans to provide the consortium with sufficient quantities as early as 2027.

This is the first time that CELLnTEC has been integrated into a large-scale European Union research project. It was guided from Euresearch , the primary point of contact for matters related to the European Framework Program for Research and Innovation. Participation increases visibility, according to Bärtschi, but he also emphasizes: “What’s particularly valuable is the direct exchange with partners in cell biology, bioprinting, materials development, automation, preclinical validation, and regulatory planning.” This exchange helps refine products and development processes in a targeted manner.

Bärtschi says that thanks to support from project leader Bart Spee from Utrecht University in the Netherlands and the project management partner AMIRES, the collaboration is “very constructive and well-organized”. This coordination enables the project’s diverse yet closely interrelated fields to work together and helps broaden perspectives. Although NEOLIVER focuses on the liver, the building blocks it develops could also prove relevant for other complex tissues and organs in regenerative medicine. ce

Software and Seven Clean Seas recycling plastic from Thai river

Circular tech firm Greyparrot raises 27 million dollars in Series B

Holcim sells Philippines business to Huaxin

Nordfen cooperating with Drone Force – Europe in Latvia

Axpo buys stake in Polish energy company Pstryk

National Chengchi University researching food recycling through fly larvae

REMADE Institute grants 4.86 million dollars to circular projects

Wir sind auch auf folgenden Social Media-Plattformen präsent. Bitte folgen Sie uns auch dort.