Monica Wellejus is a technology commercialization strategist who has spent almost seven years working at the intersection of biomaterials and medical 3D printing. With an MA in Business, Language, and Culture, Monica entered the field from a non-technical angle but quickly became involved in all aspects of bringing bone regenerative solutions to market, from product development and quality control to regulatory pathways, evidence generation, and global commercialization strategies. She has been part of Ossiform® since 2019, where she manages the company’s commercial and go-to-market activities as the Chief Commercial Officer. Ossiform® develops bio-integrative bone substitutes with tailored structural properties to improve bone healing outcomes, simplify complex procedures, and reduce complication rates in orthopedics and spine. Its novel 3D printing technology is further used to provide bone-mimicking 3D cell culture systems for improving the physiological relevance of in vitro models in bone and cancer research. Monica Wellejus will be speaking at the upcoming bioprinted implant-focused event.
When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing?
Monica: My first encounter with 3D printing was when I joined Ossiform® and was introduced to the concept of creating tailored bone substitutes layer by layer. I remember seeing a 3D printed structure for the first time and being struck by how something so complex could be created so precisely. My immediate thought was: this is not science fiction anymore, this is happening now. I also remember thinking that my engineering colleagues made it look so easy, but I quickly found out that easy is not what medical 3D printing is.
What inspired you to start your journey?
Monica: I was inspired by the idea that technology could solve problems that traditional materials and methods could not. The possibility of creating bio-integrative structures that work with the body by facilitating its own regenerative processes was very compelling. I was also motivated by the opportunity to contribute to healthcare and help people in a meaningful way. Before entering this field, I worked in social healthcare, and having been born without my lower right arm, I understand what it means to live with a physical difference. I never imagined the company would print a new arm for me; that was never the point, but I do know what it feels like to hope for better options, and that has shaped my drive to help create new solutions for others.
Who inspired you the most along this journey?
Monica: Several people have inspired me along the way. The scientists and engineers I have worked with have been a constant source of motivation because they bring such creativity and persistence to solving complex problems. I am also inspired by surgeons who openly share their experiences and challenges, because those conversations remind me why this work matters. And finally, patients, of course. I have been in contact with so many people who have shared their personal experiences and who hope for new and better options. Having those conversations makes it impossible not to stay committed.
What motivates you the most for your work?
Monica: What motivates me the most is the opportunity to help shape solutions that make a real difference for surgeons and patients. I also find a lot of motivation in translating innovation into something usable and scalable. There is a moment when an idea becomes a product that benefits someone, and I love being part of that transition from science to real-world impact.
What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?
Monica: In healthtech today, we are not just building solutions that improve patient care; we also have to prove their economic and operational value. Health systems are under intense financial pressure, with consolidation, centralized decision-making, and a shift toward leaner care settings. Supply chain stakeholders and value analysis committees have become decisive in determining what gets adopted. For innovators, this means that clinical impact alone is not enough, though still very important, of course. We must build solutions that work for patients as well as the surgeons and healthcare systems delivering their care. Success requires pairing medical benefits with a solid business case. Staying engaged with multiple stakeholders, coordinating diverse inputs, and recognizing that not all stakeholders perceive a product or problem in the same way have helped move things forward despite the complexity.
What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D bioprinting? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?
Monica: One of the biggest challenges in 3D printing and bio-printing is that truly novel technologies rarely fit perfectly into existing frameworks. They often challenge established processes, definitions, and expectations. This can slow things down even when the underlying science and potential are strong. I think potential solutions involve early and consistent dialogues with the regulatory authorities and end-users, as well as strong alignment across stakeholders on critical elements such as evidence generation planning.
If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?
Monica: I would like to start with a very ambitious wish. I would wish for the elimination of suffering for all humans and animals. With the amount of needless pain in the world, this would have to be my first wish. Second, I would like to see scientific innovation accelerate in ways that support human and environmental well-being, from energy and food tech to advanced medical technologies. And third, I would wish to see our technology reach patients in 2026 and begin helping some of the millions of people who live with bone defects every year.
What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice have you heard that they should ignore?
Monica: My advice would be to stay curious and to seek out experiences that challenge your assumptions about what your career should look like. I would also say: keep going. The ones that succeed are the ones that did not give up. The bad advice to ignore is to wait until you feel completely ready. No one ever feels fully ready. Growth happens when you have started.
What’s your favorite book you read this year and why? Alternatively, what’s your favorite book of all times you read and why?
Monica: I recently read Range by David Epstein, which I really enjoyed. I appreciate how it challenges the famous 10,000‑hour rule and the assumption that early specialization is always superior. He argues that people who accumulate experience across different domains often benefit from that sampling and diversity, especially when navigating complex or uncertain problems.
It resonated with my own path into the biomaterials and bone 3D printing space. In a world where many generalists feel almost ashamed of not having specialized, and others feel bad about changing lanes after years of building deep expertise, the book is a reminder that broad experience can also be a real strength.
You Might Also Like:
- 3D Bioprinting Bone – One Defect At A Time – overview of clinical and technical challenges in bone bioprinting, including patient‑specific implants and regenerative workflows.
- 3D Printing and Bioprinting Bones – explains how 3D printing and bioprinting enable bone regeneration with scaffolds, bio‑inks, and patient‑specific geometries, and highlights companies like Ossiform.
- 3D Printing Bone: A Novel Way to Study Bone Diseases In Vitro – discusses bone‑mimicking 3D cell culture systems for drug discovery and features Ossiform‑related work.
- Bone Grafts: Inducing Bone Regeneration with 3D Printed Porosity – covers how porous ceramic 3D printed implants (including Particle3D/Ossiform technology) support osteointegration and patient‑specific bone repair.
- 3D Bioprinting for Regenerative Medicine: Part 1 – guide‑style introduction to 3D bioprinting in regenerative medicine, aligning with Monica’s emphasis on bio‑integrative, clinically impactful solutions.
Comments