3-D printing, bioprinting pushing the edges of regenerative medicine ($ONVO)

Organovo Holdings, Inc. (OTC: ONVO) is focused on delivering breakthrough three-dimensional biology capabilities to create tissue on demand for research and surgical applications. As the first company with a three-dimensional tissue technology that works across tissue types, we are meeting the promise of regenerative medicine to fill unmet medical needs. Organovo's powerful NovoGen Bioprinting platform creates human tissues starting with any cell source. From disease models to tissue creation, bioprinting solves urgent needs in biological research. 

On Cleveland.com, contributor Brie Zeltner wrote an article about the idea behind bioprinting, its applications, and some the companies and researchers working on it. She writes,

"Imagine a custom-made knee replacement modeled to fit exactly from scans of your own bone, built one infinitesimal layer at a time by a printer that uses 'ink' made from living cells. Or a replacement heart valve, seeded with human stem cells, printed in a single functioning piece. It may sound like science fiction, but these feats of bioengineering are not far from being realized."

She continues,

"Organovo Inc., a San Diego-based tissue engineering company, is using printers to make small amounts of human tissue, including muscle and blood vessels. With the printer precisely placing cells, the team is able to create tissue that is almost indistinguishable from the real thing under a microscope. And pharmaceutical companies are using the printed tissue to test their drugs, saving money by identifying ones that would fail early in clinical trials. The collaboration will fund their continued research."

Read the full article at Cleveland.com. 

3D Printing Sparks NeoIndustrial Revolution; $ONVO

Organovo Holdings, Inc. (ONVO) is focused on delivering breakthrough three-dimensional biology capabilities to create tissue on demand for research and surgical applications. As the first company with a three-dimensional tissue technology that works across tissue types, they are meeting the promise of regenerative medicine to fill unmet medical needs.

Organovo is an innovator in the field of 3-D printing. 3-D printers create objects and bio-medical products such as prosthetic limbs and organs on-site and on an atomic level. Such printers use computer-driven additive processes and versatile lasers or extruders moving across an X,Y, and Z axes to generate parts and products one layer at a time. In this way, products can be manufactured in whole, rather than in part, and with greater versatility and customizability. The applications of this technology to the medical industry are seemingly endless.

In an article on EnergyAndCapital.com, contributor Nathan Holl writes,

“Someday soon, quite possibly within the next couple of years, companies like Organovo will have the ability to collect stem cells from blood drawn from an adult. Then, using a specialized 3D printer, construct polymeric scaffolding in the shape of an organ or tissue needing to be replicated and literally grow a kidney, heart, or lungs within a matter of days with zero chance of rejection, circumventing the need to have patients wait for donor organs on expansive waiting lists.” 

 

Organovo CEO Keith Murphy commented, "We currently produce organic tissues grown from cell samples, which can be used as a human analog for pharmaceutical drug discovery and development."

 

Read the complete article at EnergyandCapital.com.

Organovo Announces $6.5 Million Private Placement to Advance 3D Bioprinting for Medical Applications ($ONVO)

Organovo Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: ONVO) announced the successful completion of a merger on February 8, 2012, with Organovo, Inc. (the "Merger"), a company focused on the development of three-dimensional bioprinting technology for research and medical applications.  Concurrent with the Merger, Organovo closed a private placement consisting of approximately 6.5 million units of its securities to qualified accredited investors, for total gross proceeds of $6.5 million.

"Organovo's advanced bioprinting platform can replicate essential biology for research, drug discovery and development and, eventually, for therapeutic applications," stated Keith Murphy, chief executive officer of Organovo. "We have found success in achieving early revenue through strategic collaborations, and this funding will allow us to extend the reach and uses of 3D bioprinting through growth and innovation in the coming years."

Organovo will continue the business of Organovo, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, as a wholly-owned subsidiary under the leadership of Organovo, Inc.'s current management team, headed by Chief Executive Officer Keith Murphy. In completing the Merger, Organovo issued approximately 22.4 million shares of its common stock to the holders of Organovo, Inc. common stock. The merged company will be quoted on the OTC markets and on the OTCQB under the symbol "ONVO" beginning Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

The securities sold in the private placement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be resold absent registration under or exemption from such Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. This press release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act of 1933.

Daily Dose Conclusion: This is definitely an exciting company to follow. Organovo's technology, the ability to create 3-d structures opens up a new dimension in the world of regenerative medicine. These structures (think of them as arteries) are manufactured with a bio-printer (versus a re-adsorbable scaffold).  One indication in the future would be the creation of new arterial grafts (versus using a saphenous one). Medical diagnostics are also an exciting area that could bring in big pharma deals. CEO Keith Murphy, an MIT graduate understands how to navigate and build a company. This raise was hard earned with many angel investors grabbing the opportunity to get in, at a low valuation. Stay tuned for more !