Advancing bio-printing of living cells for regenerative medicine

¿De qué trata esta convocatoria?

The topic funds research projects that develop bio-printing equipment for living human cells, scale it to GMP-compliant manufacturing and test it in first-in-human studies for regenerative medicine.

¿Qué financia esta convocatoria?

Scope

The topic funds the development of complete bio-printing technologies that print high-cell-density constructs from human cells to repair or regenerate defective tissues or internal organs, and their translation into first-in-human studies. Both in-vitro printing followed by transplantation and in-situ printing directly on the target site during surgery are covered. Projects may address any therapeutic area.

Expected activities

Proposals should use human cells and address all of the following:

• Develop or improve bio-printing equipment covering all steps of the bio-printing process, to print high-cell-density constructs for better vascularisation and faster repair.
• Scale up the chosen technology to a manufacturing process conforming to Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Carry out the regulatory work needed for clinical studies and assess clinical value in first-in-human studies.

Priority goes to approaches that target vital internal organs followed by surgical grafting, or that deposit cell-laden bio-ink directly on the defect site from a printhead or endoscope. Requirements from EU frameworks on substances of human origin, medical devices and medicinal products, including advanced therapy medicinal products, should be considered. Preclinical and clinical development are eligible, and sex differences at the cellular level should be considered. Teams should be multidisciplinary.

Expected outcomes

• Biomedical scientists in academia and industry gain access to complete bio-printing units for regenerating human tissue.
• Healthcare professionals obtain information on the safe and effective use of this equipment.
• Patients benefit from personalised regenerative treatments for conditions of unmet medical need.

¿Qué se espera de las propuestas?

• Involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is encouraged.

¿Cuándo termina el plazo?

16 de septiembre de 2027 (314 días)

22 September 2027 (single-stage submission).