Dec 22, 2024 As the end of 2024 approached, a group of groundbreaking pitch 3D startups took the lead in healthcare 3D printing, bioprinting, and tissue engineering. This article highlights key emerging themes in the space and the startups we have featured on our pitch3D platform. We want to raise awareness of these startups’ cutting-edge technologies and investment potential. Also, please mark your calendar and join us live at the upcoming virtual Pitch3D Demo Day to meet some of our investors, founders, and ecosystem operators.
Key themes that emerge from the pitch decks in the “Pitch3D 2024” folder include:
Innovation in Medical Devices:
Many of the startups are developing novel medical devices or improving existing ones, often using advanced technologies like 3D printing and bioengineering. Examples include Castomize’s 4D-printed casts, Icarus Medical’s 3D-printed knee brace, and ReConstruct Bio’s personalized breast implants. (See specific company info below.)
Improved Patient Outcomes and Quality of Life:
The startups emphasize the potential of their technologies to improve patient outcomes, reduce complications, and enhance quality of life. This is evident in CytexOrtho’s focus on restoring joint function, Cellular Vehicle’s aim to make cell and gene therapies more accessible.
Deep Tech:
The 2024 Pitch3D cohort highlights the use of advanced technologies, such as 3D printing, bioengineering, and AI, to create innovative solutions. This is seen in Axolotl Biosciences’ focus on 3D bioprinting, DicomDirector’s use of AR/VR for medical imaging, and Castomize’s use of 4D printing for orthopedic casts.
Personalized Medicine:
Several startups are developing solutions tailored to individual patients, such as ReConstruct Bio’s and BellaSeno’s personalized breast implants.
Addressing Unmet Needs:
The startups are targeting areas where there is a significant unmet need, such as knee osteoarthritis (Icarus Medical), breast reconstruction (ReConstruct Bio), and cell and gene therapy delivery (Cellular Vehicle).
Focus on Accessibility and Affordability:
Some startups emphasize their commitment to making their technologies accessible and affordable, as exemplified by Castomize’s aim to create cost-effective orthopedic casts.
Pitch3D 2024 Cohort:
Cytoink:
Medical research has many challenges, such as the high cost and lengthy timelines for drug development, with a significant failure rate in clinical trials due to reliance on inaccurate animal testing and significant drug assays. Cytoink offers a solution to these challenges through its human-relevant 3D tissue models, which can accelerate and improve biomedical R&D. These models can lead to significant cost savings and faster time-to-market for new drugs.
Allumin8
There is a high rate of complications in spine fusion surgeries, particularly screw loosening. Allumin8’s technology addresses this issue by improving bone fixation and promoting bone growth. Allumin8’s proprietary technology is a Porous Pedicle Screw System, a 3D-printed orthopedic and spine hardware that mimics bone and can deliver therapeutics directly to the patient.
Castomize:
Current orthopedic casts can be heavy, uncomfortable, and not very strong. Castomize is a med-tech startup based in Singapore that uses advanced manufacturing techniques to create orthopedic casts that are lighter, stronger, and more comfortable for patients.
Axolotl Biosciences:
Axolotl Biosciences, located in British Columbia, Canada, recognizes the potential of 3D bioprinting to transform healthcare. However, the field is still developing and requires specialized expertise. Currently the startup offers a suite of products and services, including bioinks, 3D tissue models, and consulting, to support research and development in 3D bioprinting, to advance human health.
Akita Bio:
Drug development and research are often slow, expensive, and can yield unreliable results. This is partly due to limitations in traditional cell culture and animal models. Akita Bio, based in Helsinki, Finland, has developed scalable organ-on-chip platforms that offer a more physiologically relevant model for drug development and research. These platforms aim to accelerate research, improve cost-efficiency, and generate more reliable results.
Icarus Medical Innovations:
Knee osteoarthritis is a widespread and debilitating condition, and current treatment options often fall short of providing adequate pain relief and restoring mobility for a large patient population. Icarus Medical Innovations has developed the Ascender Knee Brace, a custom, 3D-printed brace designed to alleviate pain and improve function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The brace is adjustable and can unload significant weight from the knee joint.
CytexOrtho:
Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease that causes pain, stiffness, and disability. Current treatments are often limited in their ability to restore joint function and prevent disease progression. CytexOrtho is developing a 3D woven bio-textile implant for joint repair in osteoarthritis patients. Their product aims to restore joint form and function and has shown promising results in preclinical studies.
Cellular Vehicle:
Cell and gene therapies (CGTs) are promising to treat many diseases, but their manufacturing and delivery are complex and challenging. Based in San Mateo, California, the company is developing the Odyssey System, a technology that standardizes and automates the preparation and administration of CGT doses. This aims to make these therapies more accessible to healthcare providers and, ultimately, to more patients.
ReConstruct Bio:
Breast reconstruction and augmentation often involve invasive procedures and carry risks associated with artificial implants or tissue flaps. ReConstruct Bio, a venture from Harvard’s Wyss Institute, is developing personalized, regenerative breast implants using a patient’s own fat tissue. This approach aims to offer a safer, more natural, and longer-lasting solution for breast reconstruction.
PathKeeper Surgical:
Spine surgery can be complex and carries risks of complications, including inaccurate screw placement and suboptimal spinal alignment. PathKeeper Surgical offers radiation-free, accurate, and cost-effective optical navigation and robotic technology for spine surgery. Their technology aims to improve surgical precision and patient outcomes.
ALM Ortho:
Complex orthopedic implant cases can lead to limb loss or impaired limb function. Current solutions for limb lengthening and reconstruction are often limited by old technology platforms. ALM Ortho uses advanced technology to develop enhanced product solutions, including a bone-anchored prosthetic for amputees and custom products for complex orthopedic implant cases. These solutions aim to salvage limbs and restore limb functionality.
Z-Polymers:
Traditional super-polymers often rely on toxic chemicals and have high greenhouse gas emissions during manufacturing. Z-Polymers has developed Tullomer, a new super-polymer that is strong, lightweight, inert, recyclable, and made with significantly less energy than traditional super-polymers. Tullomer aims to offer a more
Bellaseno:
The breast implant industry has a large market size with significant medical needs due to breast surgeries for post-cancer reconstruction, congenital defects, and silicone implant complications. There are high complication rates with silicone implants, including encapsulation, rupture, pain, and breast implant illness, leading to high removal and revision rates. BellaSeno has created a resorbable scaffold using the patient’s fat tissue to regenerate natural breasts. This addresses the safety issues of silicone implants and creates natural-feeling breasts. Over 40 patients with follow-ups of up to 4 years are very satisfied with the results. There have been no removals, infections, capsular contractures, or other major complications related to the scaffold.
DicomDirector:
A significant and expanding market for advanced medical imaging and AR/VR technologies suggests substantial commercial potential for Intravision XR. DicomDirector is transforming 2D medical images into 3D holograms viewable in AR and VR, with applications in surgical planning, patient education, and medical education. The company operates on a subscription-based business model and has already secured contracts with major companies and healthcare providers.
NOVUS Life Sciences Ltd.:
NOVUS Life Sciences Ltd. is a Hong Kong-based startup focusing on biomaterial research, development, and manufacturing established in 2014. The company focuses on pioneering 3D printing solutions for biomaterials and medical technologies, aiming to improve human health globally. Its flagship bioactive bone cement is Bonlecule. They also provide medical 3D printer filaments and related design, printing, testing, and sterilization services. By 2024, NOVUS had served over 50 corporate clients in 25 countries.
Related links:
Healthcare 3D Printing Innovations: Pitch3D 2023 Highlights
Pitch3D 2022: Newborns, Warriors, and The Changing World Order
Exploring Six Policy Areas Impacting Healthcare 3D Printing, Bioprinting- Guide
The Ultimate Resource Center for Healthcare 3D Printing
Angel Investor in Life Sciences: Putting Our Money Where Our Passions Lie
Newborns, Warriors, Unicorns, Winners: Commercialization of Healthcare 3D Printing In 2020
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