A 3D printer capable of replicating healthy cells, created by three Spanish scientists, is the invention that has amazed Manuel Fuertes (Madrid, 1981), a talent scout and funding facilitator for bringing the most innovative ideas to market. “When I first saw the prototype of this cellular bioreactor, I realized it was something extraordinary,” explains this expert in technology transfer at the University of Oxford and co-founder of the British fund manager Kiatt. He compares this compact 3D machine to the printing press. The printer will hit the market in 2018, significantly reducing the costs associated with cell production. The three scientists, creators of the company Aglaris, will even use their invention to produce synthetic meat.
–Why is it necessary to produce healthy human cells?
–For countless purposes. Hospitals, for instance, use them to treat leukemia. Pharmaceutical companies need large cell banks to produce insulin or growth hormones. Soon, they will be used for cell therapies to rejuvenate tissues or create synthetic skin. In 15 years, the first bio-ink processors for 3D bio-printers will create organs. The first steps are already being taken to produce synthetic meat, which could not only win a Nobel Prize but also end world hunger. We aim to produce affordable and mass-produced cells.
–This cell production is currently done manually in so-called “clean rooms,” but the automation idea came from an intern. How did it happen?
–It was David Horna’s idea. He has a portfolio filled with incredible patents. One of the concepts he had saved was inspired by the Japanese biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi, Nobel Prize in Medicine 2016, and his vision for cellular recycling. Initially, cells were produced in two dimensions, but Horna thought they could be developed in a 3D sphere using a more compact bioreactor. The theory existed, but Horna, Miquel Costa, and Manuel Ángel González are the only ones in the world who have managed to produce cells in 3D.
–So, are we talking about a cell printer that takes up very little space?
–It’s about the size of an office copier and requires only one technical operator or nurse to operate. This printer eliminates the bottleneck currently faced in cell production for research and experiments. A batch of cells, which now takes over a month to produce, can be ready in less than a week. We aim to release it for sale in 2018.
–What will it cost?
–Around 300,000 euros. This is significantly less than the one million euros required to establish a clean room.
–Why does this printer eliminate contamination risks?
–Because it’s a hermetically sealed device that no one needs to touch. Aglaris has patented all components involved in this bioreactor’s operation to ensure the entire process is completely aseptic and avoids counterfeit parts.
–What was Miquel Costa’s contribution?
–David Horna is a doctor in chemical engineering, and Miquel Costa is also a chemist and engineer, equally entrepreneurial. They worked in absolute tandem, accompanied by Manuel Ángel González, who supervised David’s work during his Ph.D.
–Tell us about the prototype created by these researchers.
–The first one I saw three years ago was a very basic version at the Madrid Science Park in Tres Cantos. Now, they’re in Cambridge with a pre-commercial prototype. When I first saw it, I knew it was a scientific breakthrough that could be brought to market.
–So this is a purely Spanish invention?
–One hundred percent Spanish, with funding from family offices and Spanish entrepreneurs, managed through Kyatt.
–How did you, not being a researcher in this field, connect with David and Miquel?
–I focus on discovering talent; my asset is minds. I understood that the lab prototype was more than just a prototype and took a chance on them.
–Researchers create the theory, and you secure the funding. Is that what happened here?
–When I identify talent, I gather investors and coordinate the funding for the proposed project. I take the company to market and also manage its financing.
–Was it challenging to convince the venture capital fund Cross Road Biotech to back this company financially?
–Not at all. They wanted in from the start. Several global investment funds were interested, but this Spanish one seemed the most suitable.
–Is this cellular bioreactor a good example of applied science?
–It’s a prime example of technological knowledge transfer. They’ve taken applied science and turned it into a marketable product.
–What hurdles did you face in creating Aglaris Cell to produce the bioreactor?
–The biggest challenges were regulatory. We’re reproducing life to be reinjected into a patient, which requires extensive testing. We’re producing five bioreactors for five reference centers to gather feedback.
–Are we looking at researchers becoming entrepreneurs with your help?
–They remain researchers. Before working with me, they had an entrepreneurial mindset but were unaware of it.
–Isn’t it an overstatement to claim that Aglaris Facer, the first machine for fully automated cell production, will be as significant in research as the printing press?
–Not at all. While the last century was defined by electronics, this century will be defined by biotechnology. This is a groundbreaking invention because, for the first time in history, a life-betting process is standardized.
–How will replacing manual labor with automation in cell production affect production costs?
–Rather than focusing on production costs, we should talk about time savings, which directly impact costs. Research teams, whose time is highly valuable, will save significant time, reducing the financial burden on states.
