Recently, I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Itzchak Angel, CEO of the Israeli stem cell company, Accellta Ltd. Accellta is introducing a paradigm shift to the stem cell marketplace by quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively growing massive quantities of clinical grade cells in xeno-free, feeder-free culture. Based in Haifa, Israel, Dr. Angel leads a team of executives and researches who are world-renowned experts at growing stem cells in suspension.
In major news released today, Nano Dimension Ltd. announced it has successfully “lab-tested a proof of concept 3D bioprinter for stem cells” in collaboration with Accellta Ltd. Nano Dimension Ltd. specializes in 3D printing systems, while Accellta uses 3D bioreactors to grow large numbers of cells in suspension. Specifically, Accellta can increase a cell population from 1 million cells to 10 billion cells in two weeks with an overall cost of about $3,000, by using bioreactors to do it in a very efficient way. Using traditional adherent culture, it would cost of $150,000 and take 40 to 50 days. [Read more…]