Key points from article :
Vital3D, a biotech company based in Lithuania, is making strides in the field of 3D bioprinting, aiming to address the organ shortage crisis by developing technology to print human organs, particularly kidneys.
Founded in 2021 and led by CEO Vidmantas Sakalys, the company uses advanced laser-based technology, specifically a technique called FemtoBrush, which allows for dynamic light manipulation to print tissues and organs with remarkable precision. This method uses light to solidify bio-ink, creating complex structures such as blood vessels, which are crucial for maintaining the functionality of bioprinted organs.
The technology, while not yet capable of producing fully functional, transplantable organs, is being used for medical research, drug discovery, and the creation of surgical models, implants, and patient-specific guides. A key challenge remains the vascularisation of printed tissues—without a functional network of blood vessels, organs cannot survive or function properly. Vital3D’s approach, however, shows promise in addressing this issue by allowing rapid and precise printing at scales required for vascular structures.
Sakalys envisions a future where bioprinting could transform medicine, extending human lifespans and offering more humane alternatives to traditional animal testing. Though printing fully functional organs for human transplants is still 15-20 years away, the current applications of Vital3D’s technology are already contributing to advances in personalised medicine and disease research.
By creating organ-on-a-chip models and other bioprinted structures, Vital3D aims to revolutionise the way medical research is conducted, making it more precise, ethical, and efficient. The company’s work represents a significant step toward a future where 3D-printed organs could alleviate the global demand for transplants.
