Exploring Bioprinting Software: Trends and Examples in the USA, Germany, and Austria

The first 3D printer was invented in the early 1980s in Japan when Hideo Kodama came up with  a new approach to manufacturing as he applied photosensitive resin layer by layer and then polymerized it by UV light. Since then, 3D printing has transformed manufacturing by opening new ways for customization and innovation while making it more flexible and cost-efficient. And now it’s the turn of healthcare.

Bioprinting, a specialized application of bioprinting technology, has the potential to revolutionize medicine — think faster medical research, accelerated drug development, personalized treatment, as well as the reduced need for organ transplantation.

What is 3D bioprinting?

Bioprinting is a process of creating 3D structures of living tissues and organs through layer-by-layer deposition of living cells, proteins and biomaterials. To that end, special bioprinters are used that can produce complex biological structures with high precision and accuracy. Bioprinting occurs in three stages:

Naturally, custom healthcare software is a critical component of the bioprinting ecosystem as it supports every step of the bioprinting process — from analyzing and converting medical imaging data into 3D models to evaluating the printed structures. Based on the functionality within the process, bioprinting software can be grouped into several categories:

• Image processing software to convert medical imaging data, such as MRI or CT scans, into 3D models that can be used as a basis for bioprinted constructs;
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software for creating and modifying 3D models of biological structure;
• G-code generation software, also called slicers, that divides the 3D model into thin layers (slices) and generates the toolpaths for the bioprinter’s movements;
• Bioprinter control software that manages the actual bioprinting process, controlling the extrusion process and bioprinter’s parameters based on the G-code instructions;
• Simulation and modeling that are used to predict the behavior of the bioprinted construct under various conditions or when integrated into the host organism;
• Bioink development software used to design bioinks and optimize their properties, including rheological behavior, crosslinking, and biocompatibility.

Market overview

Driven by the growing investments in R&D activities, technological advancements and  increased focus on personalized medicine, the bioprinting software market is booming. According to Market Research Future, by 2030 it’s expected to hit USD 5.1 billion, which is a 15.4% growth rate from 2022 to 2030.

The market is also geographically diverse, with significant contributions from North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions.

United States

In North America, the United States is the most prominent force. Significant investments in advancing 3D bioprinting, a high adoption rate of groundbreaking innovations and the presence of key market players contribute to the US’s substantial share of the industry.

As seen on the map below,  bioprinting companies are mostly located in West Coast and East Coast states like California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland.

Organovo is a pioneer in the bioprinting industry. The company’s bioprinting software, NovoGen, works in conjunction with the bioprinting hardware to enable the creation of 3D tissues. The software helps researchers design and print complex tissue structures by guiding the placement of multiple cell types in a precise and controlled manner. The NovoGen software also allows users to optimize the printing process by adjusting parameters like cell density, layer thickness, and print speed.

Formerly known as BioBots, Allevi is another US-based company that specializes in bioprinting platforms that include bioprinters, bioinks, and software. Their Allevi Bioprint Software allows researchers to design and customize 3D tissue structures using multiple cell types and materials in a controlled manner. It also provides features like real-time control of the bioprinting process and compatibility with various imaging modalities, such as fluorescence microscopy.

TeVido BioDevices is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative 3D printing solutions for reconstructive surgery. Its TruPigment™ solution aims to provide personalized vitiligo treatment via skin cell transplants. The process involves obtaining a small skin biopsy from the patient, isolating the healthy melanocytes, and then expanding them in the lab. These melanocytes are then put into a cellular suspension that is later applied to a depigmented area, potentially restoring the natural pigmentation and appearance of the skin.

Brinter is a trailblazing bioprinting company that produces advanced bioprinting solutions for life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and regenerative medicine. Their innovative modular, multi-material bioprinting platform combines precision, versatility, and ease of use. The system features multiple print heads and customizable extrusion methods, making it suitable for a wide range of bioinks and biomaterials. Last year, Brinter launched the world’s first multi-material, multi-fluidic bioprinting printhead that enables higher-precision tissue engineering.

Although CELLINK was founded in Sweden, it has expanded its operation into the US market where it now has a very strong presence. The company offers a range of bioprinters, including the BIO X, BIO X6, and Inkredible series. In addition to hardware, CELLINK provides bioprinting software solutions that facilitate the bioprinting process. DNA Studio 4 Vault, the latest addition to the family, is the industry-leading software bioprinting solution redeveloped with the regulatory requirements in mind. The solution aims to streamline the entire workflow from model generation to print records to meet the needs of researchers with different levels of experience.

 Germany

Europe’s bioprinting software market is expanding quickly, and by 2027 it is anticipated to reach a notable $649.91 million. And Germany plays a prominent role in it due to its strong focus on R&D activities in the biomedical and biotechnology sectors. In addition, Germany is home to numerous research institutions, universities, and companies working on 3D bioprinting, which contributes to the demand for bioprinting software.

Here are some of the key bioprinting software companies in Germany.

Cellbricks is a cutting-edge biotech company that pioneers synthetic biology and 3D bioprinting services. The company’s mission is to replicate human tissue at scale to help doctors and researchers provide better clinical outcomes. Cellbrick owns the complete tech stack of proprietary bioprinting hardware, software, and process engineering expertise. Its software allows users to create detailed 3D models of the desired tissues, select the appropriate bioinks and printing parameters, and monitor the printing process in real-time.

MEDPRIN (short for Medical Printing) is another biotech company that pushes the limits of bioprinting with more that 200 patents authorized and 300+ patent applications across the world. The company made a name for itself with its first product, ReDura®, which is a high-quality dura mater (ridge) membrane that closely aligns with a patient’s own cells.

Black Drop Biodrucker offers its clients cutting-edge bioprinting hardware and software, along with highly biofunctional bioinks. Its SuperFill Bioprinter comes with Control Software and a distinctive Slicer, allowing users to convert STL data into drop coordinates. With user-friendly default settings, even bioprinting novices can easily kickstart their projects while experienced users can benefit from superior settings customization.

The primary focus of INNOTERE is the design and 3D printing of scaffolds in a range of shapes by using its proprietary bone cement paste technology. Due to the unique 3D printing technology and the paste’s distinctive properties, users can precisely customize the dimensions and porosity of end products, which are further used in a variety of applications — from simple 2D constructs for biochemical pre-studies to complex scaffolds for in vivo studies.

Austria

Although Austria can’t boast a large number of bioprinting software companies, there are some biotech startups and research institutions that are involved in bioprinting projects.

UpNano’s technology is based on the two-photon polymerization (2PP) process that allows for creating highly detailed and precise 3D structures at the meso- and nanoscale. Their NanoOne Bio 3D bioprinting system leverages proprietary easy-to-use software, THINK3D, to guide users throughout the entire printing process. THINK3D supports the creation of customized CAD objects and predefined basic structures, as well as import of STL files, real-time data processing and 3D preview.

TU Wien has been conducting research in the field of bioprinting, specifically focusing on the development of novel bioinks, bioprinting processes, and tissue engineering. The researchers at TU Wien managed to develop a high-resolution bioprinting process with completely new materials that allows embedding cells in a 3D matrix printed with micrometer precision.

 The bottom line

It’s clear that the bioprinting market is experiencing rapid growth, with the US and Germany being at the forefront of innovation. Key players in these regions are setting the pace with their groundbreaking software solutions, enabling more precise and efficient bioprinting processes. And as the technology becomes more mature, it will drive positive results across such areas as pharmaceutical research, tissue engineering, and personalized medicine.