Project description
Taking a human-based product for 3D cell culture to the market
A 3D cell culture constitutes an in vitro microenvironment that recapitulates the specific characteristics of the native respective tissue or organ. Cells usually grow in scaffolds which employ non-human-based reagents for cell support and function. The EU-funded TechTissue project aims to establish a successful business strategy and commercialisation plan for a previously developed human platelet-rich plasma derivative that offers a physiologically relevant environment for 3D cell culture. This human-derived lyophilized powder can be can be used to generate soft scaffold materials such as hydrogels routinely used in 3D cell cultures. Researchers will undertake product optimisation and assess market requirements before introducing it in 3D cell culture applications such as drug screening and tissue engineering.
Objective
Metatissue is focused on the design, production and commercialization of chemically modified human-derived proteins to prepare hydrogels, sponges and bioinks to improve 3D cell culture and disease modelling for drug discovery and development, tissue engineering, and personalized medicine advancements.
Metatissue has developed a bioactive platelet-rich plasma derivative precursor that can be cured upon light exposure to form soft materials with tunable mechanical properties. Such materials provide functional support for cell growth and interact with cells to control their function, guiding the process of tissue morphogenesis. This platform is the first to offer complete human-based material for 3D cell culture and an easy-to-use solution for clinical purposes.
This deep technology enables researchers to culture human cells in a physiologically relevant microenvironment for applications in cell culture research, drug screening and development, cancer research, tissue engineering, replacement of animal testing and therapeutic applications. This technology will have a significant impact on the 3D cell culture market and pharmaceutical industry by accelerating drug screening and development reducing associated costs.These materials present an alternative to the gold standard materials that are currently used in cell culture assays, which generally comprise animal-derived proteins that form a gel under corporal conditions.
TechTissue intend to achieve the current Metatissue strategy by exploiting its business opportunity and setting a successful business strategy and commercialization plan based on the technical optimisation of the product, the assessed market requirements, the end-user needs and the competitor analysis.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.3.2 - European innovation ecosystems Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support ActionsCoordinator
3830-352 ILHAVO
Portugal
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.