바이오스펙테이터

by Jongwon Jang

▲윤원수 티앤알바이오팹 대표이사

T&R Biofab is an enterprise which has simultaneously developed and produced the 3D Bio-printing System for the commercialization of biodegradable supporters, Bio-ink, 3D Organoid Model, Cytotherapeutic Agent, and Artificial Organs.

T&R Biofab was jointly founded by President, Yun Won-soo, who was a disciple of professor Cho Dong-woo of Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH), the globally prominent person in the field of 3D Printing technology (currently he is a technical advisor) and the CTO, Professor Shim Jin-hyeong (Korea Polytechnic University).

T&R Biofab started its business with the development of 3D Bio-printing equipment. Currently, the development of “Hybrid Cyto-Printing System V3”, enabling simultaneous printing of cell and polymer, has been completed. The equipment was specified as “... it consists of components of the level of GMP and is equipped with an automatic calibration function.”

T&R Biofab selected the biodegradable artificial supporter as its item for a commercial business employing the 3D Bio-printing Equipment developed so far. The biodegradable artificial supporter is mainly applicable for patients suffering from bone fracture or damages of bones due to other diseases requiring filling of support organs.

T&R Biofab developed the “deCelluid”, the bio-ink, and released prototype product for research and for the commercialization of the 3D Cyto-Printing Technology. In particular, the product will be delivered to the global market through the supply of OEM products in contract with Merck KGaA, Germany, as concluded in last August.

The “deCelluid” can facilitate regeneration of tissues by preserving extracellular matrix and growth factor after removal of cells that can generate immunoreactions of in vivo organs.

For the skin-originated bio-ink, the fabrication of an artificial model of full-thickness skin can be enabled by the realization of the epidermal layer as well as the dermal layer with the use of the technology of T&R Biofab. The artificial skin model cannot only replace unnecessary animal test in the process of development of ointment drugs or cosmetics but also enable in acquiring more accurate analyses of efficacy and adverse effects as compared to data from animal models due to its characteristics similar to human skin.

The company stated, “..., the researches aiming at the development of the 3D in vitro Appraisal Model for Liver Organoid as well as artificial skin are currently in progress, together with other in vitro study model such as ‘Cancer-on-a-chip’ that exploits cancer cells. Since the group of products is oriented towards in vitro applications, the quick commercialization thereof is expected.”

The 3D Bio-printing technology is being spotlighted as an ultimate source technology for the development of innovative therapeutic agents. T&R Biofab heads for the way accordingly. The aim is the development of the 3D cytotherapeutic agent by exploiting 3D Bio-printing technology.

President Yun stated, “... we have succeeded in the fabrication of the prototype of “heart patch” that can be used for the reconstruction of the heart of patients who have suffered cardiac arrest, etc.” The “heart patch” was fabricated by simultaneous application of heart-originated bio-ink and the bio-ink containing vascular endothelial growth factor and mesenchymal stem cell; it exhibits plaid patterns of cross printing of the two inks.

President Yun also said, “..., we have identified significant data promising positive expectations of longer and proper in vivo working of the patch of the 3D cytotherapeutic agent through experiments.”, “..., currently, pertinent researches are in progress for the presentation of the protocol of clinical trial scheduled in 2022.”