FluidForm Bio has achieved a significant breakthrough in vascularized tissue engineering that could transform treatment approaches for chronic diseases, particularly type 1 diabetes. The Waltham, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company announced that its proprietary FRESH (Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels) 3D bioprinting technology, combined with sacrificial gelatin microparticles, substantially enhances cell viability in thick tissue constructs.
The advancement, detailed in a study published in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, addresses one of the most persistent challenges in tissue engineering—maintaining cell viability deep within engineered tissues before natural vascular networks can form. The research team, led by company co-founder Andrew Hudson, Ph.D., demonstrated that their approach creates highly porous scaffolds capable of sustaining cell viability nearly five times deeper than conventional methods.
"This work highlights the evolving power of the FRESH platform—not only as a precision bioprinting tool but as an integrated solution for building viable, vascularized tissues," said Mike Graffeo, CEO and Co-Founder of FluidForm Bio. "It brings us a step closer to scalable, implantable therapies for chronic diseases like diabetes, where vascularization is critical."
Patent Protection Strengthens Technology Platform
In a related development, FluidForm Bio announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued U.S. Patent No. 12,215,202 B2, titled "Additive Manufacturing Support Material." This patent, exclusively licensed from Carnegie Mellon University, protects core innovations and critical parameters for replicating the microarchitecture of native tissues—a crucial element for therapeutic applications such as islet cell replacement.
Adam Feinberg, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at FluidForm Bio, emphasized the significance of this intellectual property protection: "Our ability to control not only geometry but also bioengineer the biochemical and physical microenvironment of printed tissues is what sets FRESH apart. This patent reinforces our commitment to developing next-generation technologies that deliver clinically relevant, highly functional tissue therapeutics."
Computational Modeling Enhances Tissue Design
Beyond the experimental results, the research team introduced a computational model that predicts oxygen distribution within bioprinted tissues. This capability is essential for informing vessel spacing in future clinical-scale tissue design, allowing researchers to optimize vascular architecture before physical production begins.
The model represents an important step toward scalable production of therapeutic tissues, as it enables precise planning of vascular networks to ensure adequate nutrient delivery throughout larger tissue constructs. This approach could significantly reduce development time and resources while improving outcomes.
Transformative Potential for Diabetes Treatment
FluidForm Bio's lead program focuses on developing an islet cell therapy for type 1 diabetes. Using the FRESH platform, the company arranges insulin-producing beta cells in a tissue scaffold designed for subcutaneous implantation. This approach offers several advantages over current methods, including:
- Less invasive placement compared to other delivery sites
- Reduced toxicity
- Improved retrievability
- Decreased surgical risks
- Shorter recovery time for patients
The company's approach to islet cell replacement therapy represents a potential paradigm shift in diabetes treatment. By combining superior fabrication techniques, enhanced vascularization, immune modulation capabilities, and convenient subcutaneous implantation, FluidForm Bio aims to address many limitations of existing technologies.
"The combination of our vascularization strategy with our islet cell therapy program could fundamentally change how we approach diabetes treatment," Graffeo noted. "We're not just replacing cells—we're creating functional tissue that integrates with the body's systems."
Future Implications for Regenerative Medicine
The advancements in FluidForm Bio's FRESH platform extend beyond diabetes treatment, potentially impacting the broader field of regenerative medicine. The ability to create vascularized tissues with high cell viability addresses a fundamental challenge that has limited progress in engineering complex tissues and organs.
As the company continues to develop its technology and strengthen its intellectual property portfolio, its innovations could enable new approaches to treating a range of chronic diseases where tissue replacement or regeneration offers therapeutic potential.
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, FluidForm Bio is positioning itself as a leader in the next generation of cell therapies. With its recent technological breakthroughs and patent protection, the company appears well-positioned to advance its mission of developing transformative treatments for patients with chronic diseases.
