BASF and Poietis collaborate on 3D bioprinting technology

13 Jul 2015

Research deal will enhance BASF's Mimeskin material via laser-assisted deposition process.

A research and development deal between BASF and Poietis will see the two companies collaborate on ways to use 3D bioprinting technology to improve and enhance Mimeskin, BASF's skin-equivalent model.

Improved tissue models will in turn support development and testing of a range of bioactive compounds, including those found in skincare products and cosmetics.

Poietis, founded in 2014, builds on research into laser-assisted bioprinting techniques developed at the National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and the University of Bordeaux, and incubated at the Aquitaine Regional Incubator. These techniques aim to use similar principles to those used in 3D printing to assemble the constituents of biological tissues in a layer–by–layer fashion.

According to Poietis, its technology involves the application of laser pulses to a cartridge of suitable organic ink material, causing a jet of microdroplets to be deposited onto a growth culture below. Precise control of the volume of each droplet and its position on the growth medium are possible, with up to 10,000 droplets deposited per second.

Such accurate positioning could allow cells to be precisely located within three-dimensional structures, and cultivated within BASF's skin-model Mimeskin.

"Having long-term expertise in solutions for the dermo-cosmetics market, BASF understands the benefits of 3D laser-assisted bioprinting compared to conventional cell culture technologies and other bioprinting methods," commented Fabien Guillemot of Poietis. "The partnership also emphasizes bioprinted tissue models as an alternative to animal testing in cosmetics and dermopharmacy."

BASF indicated that a laser-assisted bioprinting approach could be the first step towards automated reproduction of Mimeskin, followed by more advanced models containing additional cell types.

"Compared to other bioprinting methods, the laser-assisted technology provides higher resolution when it comes to the patterning of cells," noted BASF's Sebastien Cadau. "The partnership with Poietis allows BASF to secure its strategic advantage in better understanding the skin mechanisms which support the development and testing of advanced cosmetic bioactives for skin-care applications."

The full terms and conditions of the agreement were not disclosed.

• Poietis technology animation from the Aquitaine Regional Incubator.