BICO Strengthens IP Portfolio with Patents in the United States and Sweden for 3D Bioprinting of Temperature Sensitive Bioinks

BICO, the world’s leading bio convergence company, has been granted two patents relating to the regulation and precise control of bioinks processing temperatures in 3D Bioprinters. The first patent, US 11,046,001, was granted in the United States and relates to temperature regulation of the printbed to enable precise control of the gelation process of bioprinted structures with temperature-sensitive bioinks, such as Collagen and Gelatin. The second patent, SE 543880, was granted in Sweden, and relates to controlling the temperature of the cartridge and dispensing nozzle during 3D bioprinting, leading to increased reproducibility, printing consistency, less downtime due to clogging and less material waste, while achieving a higher cell viability.

“Our mission at BICO is to create the future of medicine and improve health globally through the convergence of key biotechnologies,” says Erik Gatenholm, CEO and co-founder of BICO. “These innovations will help our incredible customers drive advancements across drug discovery, tissue engineering, and disease modeling.”

BICO believes 3D bioprinting will help accelerate drug development and eventually alleviate the strain on organ transplants and this patent is an important milestone in that mission. It is vital during the printing process to maintain a constant printing temperature to keep cells alive. Temperature control is paramount while bioprinting Collagen and Gelatin-based bioinks to avoid clogging the nozzles and have reproducible results. The two patents strengthen the company’s protection for intellectual properties and complements a full portfolio of solutions being developed by BICO and its subsidiary CELLINK.

“At BICO we work tirelessly to consistently improve and innovate our bioprinting offerings,” says Dr. Héctor Martínez, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of BICO. “Our customers around the world are continuously pushing the limits of science using our technology and I’m excited to see how they use these innovations to help make the world a healthier place.”

3D bioprinting is an essential tool for the biofabrication of human tissue models and 3D cell-based assays. As the global 3D bioprinting leader, we have developed breakthrough 3D bioprinting technologies, including extrusion-based bioprinters, light-based bioprinters, tissue-specific bioinks and accessories. The company’s products are in more than 2,000 of the world’s most innovative labs including Stanford, Harvard, Merck, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and others.

Companies and research organizations interested in our bioprinting products and services can learn more at: www.bico.com and www.cellink.com