Jan 25, 2026 Over the past month, healthcare 3D printing has delivered a dense cluster of news: deepening pharma–bioprinting partnerships, ARPA‑H organ grants, and point‑of‑care 3D printing moving further inside hospitals. This post recaps the highlights and why they matter for the future of regenerative medicine and digital manufacturing in healthcare.
We have also generated a short and sweet podcast using AI based on the information below, episode #105.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed do not constitute engineering, medical, or financial advice. The technologies and procedures discussed may not be commercially available or suitable for every case. Always consult with a qualified professional.
Regenerative Medicine: From Chronic Management to Curative Bioprinted Therapies
One of the most interesting updates comes from the intersection of big pharma and bioprinting. Aspect Biosystems and Novo Nordisk are entering a new phase of their partnership to develop curative, bioprinted treatments for diabetes.
Aspect and Novo first teamed up in 2023; this new phase deepens that collaboration by focusing on using bioprinted tissues as potential cures rather than lifelong disease management. It’s especially notable given Novo’s recent strategic retreat from parts of its cell therapy portfolio, and its move to offload certain technologies into this expanded pact with Aspect.
You can read more details in Aspect’s announcement and deal coverage here:
- Aspect Biosystems–Novo Nordisk partnership update:
https://www.aspectbiosystems.com/news-resources/aspect-biosystems-novo-nordisk-enter-new-phase-of-partnership-to-develop-curative-medicines-for-diabetes - Biospace coverage of Novo’s tech offload into the Aspect pact:
https://www.biospace.com/deals/after-cell-therapy-retreat-novo-offloads-technologies-in-deepened-aspect-pact
Together, these moves underscore a broader theme: large pharma is still interested in cell‑ and tissue‑based cures, but increasingly through focused platform partners rather than building everything in‑house.
ARPA‑H Organ Programs: Liver Bioprinting Goes Multi‑Institutional
In parallel, ARPA‑H has awarded major grants to multiple institutions to push functional organ bioprinting from concept toward clinical reality.
1. UT Southwestern: $4M for a Functional Artificial Liver
UT Southwestern has received a $4 million ARPA‑H grant to advance the development of a functioning artificial human liver. Led by Dr. Alejandro Soto‑Gutiérrez, the team aims to bioengineer liver tissue that can mimic full liver function and address the organ shortage crisis.
The project combines 3D bioprinting, organoid technology, and advanced scaffolds to build transplantable liver tissue with long‑term functionality.
More details:
https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/articles/year-2026/jan-utsw-award-functioning-artificial-liver.html
2. Carnegie Mellon: $28.5M Regenerative Bioprinted Liver Program
Carnegie Mellon University is leading a $28.5 million ARPA‑H–funded program to develop regenerative, bioprinted human livers. The initiative brings together institutions including Yale, Duke, and Stanford, with the goal of fabricating implantable liver tissue.
Key focuses include:
- Robust vascularization
- Immune compatibility
- Scalability and manufacturability
The intent is to set the stage for future human trials and potential transplant alternatives.
3. Wake Forest WFIRM: Liver Tissue Under ARPA‑H’s PRINT Program
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) will lead a major ARPA‑H initiative under the PRINT program (Preserving Organ Function). The goal is to create implantable liver tissue capable of restoring liver function in patients with chronic liver disease.
The PRINT program emphasizes:
- Multi‑organ tissue development
- Scalable biomanufacturing
- Transitioning from lab prototypes to clinical applications
More details:
https://newsroom.wakehealth.edu/news-releases/2026/01/arpa-h-print-program-supports-wfirm-led-award
Taken together, the UT Southwestern, Carnegie Mellon, and WFIRM initiatives show ARPA‑H backing a coordinated ecosystem for liver bioprinting, spanning basic tissue engineering through to scalable biomanufacturing and clinical translation.
ARPA‑H: The “Moonshot Engine” for Health
These organ programs sit within a broader ARPA‑H strategy. For readers less familiar with the agency, here’s a quick primer.
What is ARPA‑H?
- Launched in 2022, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA‑H) is a U.S. federal agency modeled after DARPA, but focused on healthcare innovation.
- It operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), works closely with NIH, but runs independently with its own culture and processes.
Mission and focus areas
ARPA‑H’s mission is to accelerate breakthrough technologies and solutions in medicine and health, particularly high‑risk, high‑reward projects that traditional funding often avoids. Focus areas include:
- Curing or reversing diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s
- Advancing biomanufacturing and bioprinting
- Rapid‑response systems for pandemics
- Technologies for health equity and personalized medicine
The agency funds cross‑disciplinary teams that blend science, engineering, AI, biofabrication, and more. Think of ARPA‑H as a “moonshot engine” for healthcare, backing bold ideas that could radically change how we treat or prevent disease.
Budget snapshot
- FY 2023: $1.5 billion allocated by the U.S. Congress
- FY 2024: A $2.5 billion request was submitted; final appropriations were still being negotiated as of late 2023
- Initial launch proposal: Up to $6.5 billion over 3 years when ARPA‑H was established in 2022
ARPA‑H is designed for flexible, fast funding cycles, enabling it to support ambitious biomedical projects without the constraints of traditional grant timelines.
Point‑of‑Care 3D Printing: From Compounding Pharmacies to the Operating Room
Beyond organ bioprinting, point‑of‑care (POC) 3D technologies continue to spread across the care continuum.
CurifyLabs: 3D Printing for Pharmaceutical Compounding
Finnish startup CurifyLabs has released a pharmaceutical compounding 3D printer aimed at hospital and pharmacy settings. Its goal is to enable on‑demand, patient‑specific drug formulations and dosage forms directly at the point of care.
More details:
https://3dprint.com/323275/finnish-startup-curifylabs-releases-pharmaceutical-compounding-3d-printer/
AZORG’s PrintPlace: 3D Printing on the Hospital Floor
Belgian healthcare group AZORG is integrating a full PrintPlace facility directly onto its healthcare workfloors. The installation brings 3D visualization, scanning, and a fleet of printers into the hospital environment for product development, prototyping, and small‑batch device production.
More details:
https://www.voxelmatters.com/azorg-integrates-printplace-directly-onto-healthcare-workfloors/
This model pushes hospitals closer to becoming regulated manufacturers, with in‑house capabilities for patient‑specific devices and rapid iteration.
Patient‑Specific Spine Surgery Platforms
In surgical care, new spine platforms are combining imaging, planning software, and 3D printing to deliver fully patient‑specific implants and guides. These systems integrate surgeon preferences and patient anatomy, moving from generic instrumentation toward bespoke surgical workflows.
More details:
https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/qa-inside-3d-printed-patient-specific-spine-surgery-platform
Taken together, CurifyLabs, AZORG’s PrintPlace, and personalized spine platforms illustrate how point‑of‑care 3D printing is expanding from “cool pilot” to more systematic infrastructure in hospitals and pharmacies.
Hardware and Materials: Powder Reuse and the Economics of Medical AM
On the hardware side, there’s ongoing work to understand and optimize powder reuse in medical 3D printing. This may sound like a narrow technical topic, but it directly affects cost, sustainability, and quality assurance in regulated environments.
A recent article examines the impact of powder reuse on medical 3D‑printed devices, exploring what it means for mechanical properties, consistency, and regulatory compliance.
More details:
https://3dadept.com/medical-3d-printed-devices-what-is-the-impact-of-powder-reuse/
For device manufacturers and hospitals considering in‑house production, the economics of powder reuse tie directly into margins and risk management.
Why This Month’s News Matters
Across these stories, a few themes stand out:
- Organ bioprinting is moving into multi‑institutional, well‑funded programs with explicit paths toward implantable tissue, not just in vitro models.
- ARPA‑H is positioning itself as the central “moonshot” engine for organ and tissue manufacturing, with liver programs as early flagships.
- Point‑of‑care 3D printing is diversifying from anatomical models into pharmaceuticals, patient‑specific implants, and hospital‑embedded manufacturing hubs.
- Technical and economic questions like powder reuse are getting closer scrutiny, reflecting a shift from R&D to production‑grade workflows.
For innovators, clinicians, and investors, these developments suggest a landscape where organ manufacturing, POC platforms, and AM‑native quality systems will increasingly intersect. The next few years will likely determine which of these approaches makes the leap from experimental to indispensable in mainstream care.
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