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Swedish biotech company VERIGRAFT has secured a €1.2 million grant from Eurostars to lead the PREPPER project, which focuses on developing next-generation 3D-printed arterial grafts. These personalised grafts aim to address the shortcomings of current options, such as limited donor availability, poor integration, and high failure rates. The project’s goal is to advance this technology towards clinical trials and eventual commercialisation, with potential applications beyond vascular grafts.
VERIGRAFT has already demonstrated success in tissue-engineered vein transplants. In an ongoing clinical trial, the company’s personalised vein graft (P-TEV™) has significantly improved the quality of life for patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a painful condition affecting the deep venous system. One trial participant in Spain, who had previously struggled to walk, can now move unaided and even attend football matches.
The PREPPER project brings together key partners, including Swiss 3D printing specialist Readily3D SA, Swedish research institute RISE, and Sahlgrenska University Hospital. By integrating cutting-edge 3D bioprinting, fibre technology, and personalised tissue engineering, the team aims to develop vascular grafts that closely resemble natural arteries, offering better durability and biocompatibility than synthetic alternatives. The funding comes from the Eurostars-3 joint programme, co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe initiative, reinforcing Europe’s position as a leader in 3D bioprinting and regenerative medicine.
