The life science group Sartorius and US-based startup TheWell Bioscience have agreed to partner on the further development of hydrogels and bioinks tailored to produce 3D advanced cell models for drug discovery workflows.
In addition to this, Sartorius will expand the portfolio of its lab division by distributing TheWell Bioscience's products and invest in a minority shareholding in the company.
TheWell Bioscience is a significant player in the field of animal-free hydrogels and bioinks, critical components for the creation of 3D biomimicking platforms. These can be used for precision medicine, cell therapy and biomanufacturing.
These models are complex biological structures that mimic the organisation and function of cells in living organisms, enabling a more accurate prediction of the efficacy, toxicity and side effects of drugs in humans.
As they address the shift from animal-based to more human-relevant organoid models, 3D cell models are a key strategic growth area for Sartorius.
"Sartorius’ lab division is fully focused on helping researchers speed up the development of new drugs with innovative technologies. The offering of TheWell Bioscience seamlessly complements our bioanalytic instruments, cytokines and media products used to grow and analyse a range of 3D spheroid and organoid models. Their hydrogel solutions are highly compatible with our live-cell imaging system for monitoring and analysing cell health and behaviour in real time. By collaborating, we will enable customers to get more relevant insights in less time, accelerating time to market," said Fiona Coats, Head of Marketing at Sartorius’ Lab Products & Services division.