iBio, Inc. announced that it has entered into a Master Services Agreement with Lung Biotechnology PBC, a subsidiary of United Therapeutics Corporation, to produce recombinant human collagen (“rhCollagen”)-based bioink for 3D bioprinted organ transplants. iBio will collaborate with Lung Biotechnology PBC to scale-up production of rhCollagen in tobacco plants using iBio’s FastPharming System.
Under the MSA, the initial work to be performed by iBio involves the development of a scalable purification process for rhCollagen tailored to the biofabrication of lung scaffolds that United Therapeutics licensed from CollPlant Biotechnologies Inc., as well as cGMP supply of the material for clinical trials. Anticipating the need for commercial quantities of rhCollagen-based bioinks, iBio envisions additional projects focused upon process optimization and capacity expansion, the latter of which will employ iBio’s Factory Solutions capabilities.
“We’re pleased to have been selected by United Therapeutics to help in the mission to fundamentally change access to vital organ transplants for patients,” said Tom Isett, a member of iBio’s Board of Directors. “The FastPharming System is ideally suited to the production of bioinks, maturogens, and other biologics for use in 3D bioprinting, so iBio will remain committed to delivering its safety, quality, performance and cost advantages to pioneers like United Therapeutics in the transformational, cutting-edge biofabrication industry.”
Robert B. Kay, iBio’s Chairman and CEO commented that, “Recent scientific breakthroughs in the emerging field of 3D bioprinting have captured headlines worldwide. The decision by United Therapeutics to work with iBio for the production of rhCollagen bioinks in our FastPharming System provides yet another opportunity to demonstrate the strength of our platform, which has already been proven in the manufacture of monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, fusion proteins, virus-like particles, and other biologics. We’re looking forward to helping United Therapeutics to successfully address the critical shortage of transplantable lungs and other organs.”