Oct 07, 2024 
Mohit P. Chhaya, PhD, is a biomedical engineer with a career marked by pioneering contributions to biofabrication and tissue engineering. A Queensland University of Technology alum, Dr. Chhaya has authored numerous Q1 top-tier journal publications and developed cutting-edge technologies licensed by leading 3D BioPrinter manufacturers. As the co-founder and CEO of BellaSeno, he successfully raised EUR 17 million, steering the company towards ISO 13485 certification and steering its flagship product, Senella, through clinical translation. His tenure at BellaSeno also involved transforming it into a multi-product company and achieving market authorization for innovative, best-in-class regenerative scaffolds.
Before founding BellaSeno, Dr. Chhaya co-founded Biofabrication Design Solutions, focusing on additive manufacturing for multi-material constructs. His professional journey includes roles in regulatory affairs, postdoctoral research, and financial analysis, demonstrating a broad skill set beyond bioengineering. Dr. Chhaya’s innovations have garnered international recognition, earning him prestigious awards such as the MIT Top 20 Innovators Under 35 and the German Innovation Award 2021. An active ASTM Committee on Additive Manufacturing member and a respected speaker at international conferences, Dr. Chhaya is deeply involved in advancing biofabrication standards and education. His remarkable IP portfolio includes numerous patents and designs across various jurisdictions, underscoring his contribution to medical technology innovation. Dr. Chhaya will be speaking at the upcoming 3D printing for breast implants event. Also, check out the link below for a recent podcast I did with Dr. Chhaya.
When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?
My first encounter with 3D printing occurred during my Honours year in biomedical engineering. I was working on a project involving preparing histological sections of scaffolds implanted in sheep to regenerate bone tissue. Within the same lab, a team was assembling a custom-built bioprinter. Witnessing the creation of complex structures with such precision felt like stepping into the future. At that moment, I realized the potential for 3D printing to revolutionize medical treatments.
Noticing that most G-code for fabricating the scaffolds was written by hand, which was highly inefficient, I leveraged my programming skills from previous freelance work for bioinformaticians. I offered to design custom slicer scripts specifically for fabricating scaffolds for tissue engineering. Professor Dietmar Hutmacher, who led the project, accepted my offer and introduced me to his postdoc. This experience was the catalyst for my journey into 3D printing.
What inspired you to start your journey?
The inspiration to start BellaSeno was deeply personal. Like many, I have a family history of breast cancer; my grandmother was diagnosed in the 90s and underwent a lumpectomy, but reconstruction options were limited. The prospect of full biological regeneration through 3D printing was no longer science fiction, and I was compelled to pursue this technology to create better solutions for patients like my grandmother.
Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing?
Several individuals have been instrumental in my journey. My grandmother, whose experience with breast cancer sparked my passion; my PhD supervisors, who guided my academic and professional growth; and the investors in BellaSeno, whose belief in our vision has been unwavering. Most importantly, the patients whose lives have been transformed by our products continue to inspire and motivate me daily.
What motivates you the most for your work?
The most significant motivation for my work is the tangible positive impact on patients’ lives. At BellaSeno, we focus on treating patients who have experienced complications with silicone implants and seek a better alternative. These patients often have limited options and fall through the cracks in the medical system. Seeing their physical and emotional well-being improve after receiving our scaffolds is incredibly motivating.
What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?
One of the biggest obstacles has been the regulatory challenges in getting new medical devices approved. Navigating these regulations requires a deep understanding of both the technology and the legal landscape.
We realized that the breast implant industry, including regulators like the FDA, needed to be educated on new technologies like scaffolds. The FDA offers defined interaction pathways, which we utilized to gain clarity. In the EU, we leveraged the Custom-Made device pathway to market our scaffolds for lower-risk applications. Demonstrating the safety and efficacy of our technology in real-world scenarios has paved the way for broader approval in breast surgeries.
What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?
The biggest challenge in 3D printing and bio-printing is scalability. While creating prototypes and small batches is feasible, scaling up production for widespread use at a reasonable cost is complex.
To address this, we initiated a 3D printing innovation program, drawing inspiration from traditional plastic processing industries. We developed a comprehensive in-house software and hardware stack, including scaffold design, slicing, 3D printers, and post-processing equipment. This infrastructure allows us to scale production to over one million units annually, with costs comparable to silicone implant manufacturing.
Beyond this challenge, the 3D printing industry needs to evolve from being just a cool piece of technology to a routinely used manufacturing method. Innovation must come from the product side beyond simple customization. This means developing innovative designs and performance features that can only be realized with 3D printing, thus unlocking the full potential of the technology.
If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?
- Universal access to food.
- Aging gracefully.
- Discontent – not quite satisfied with what I have but driven to do better.
What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice should they ignore?
My advice is to be tenacious. The real world is full of challenges without ready-made solutions, but dedication and continuous learning will help you overcome them.
Ignore the bad advice that a great idea originating in a university lab is 90% of the work toward a successful startup. Execution and perseverance are keys to turning an idea into a thriving business.
What’s your favorite book you read this year and why? Alternatively, what’s your favorite book of all times you read and why?
My favorite book this year is “Alexander the Great and the Logistics of the Macedonian Army” by DW Engels. While many historical books focus on Alexander’s biography and strategies, this one highlights the critical role of logistics in his strategic victories. It offers interesting parallels with the business world, where strategy is often emphasized, but the nuts and bolts of execution are equally important.
Relevant Links:
Interview with Esther Valliant: Bioglass for 3D Printing
Interview with Dr. Bryan Scheer: From Bedside To SiNAPTIC Technologies
Past 3DHEALS Influencer Interviews
Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Contact: info@3dheals.com
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