Investment to Accelerate Development of BioLoom™ and Loominus Studio™, Aiming to Revolutionize Biofabrication Workflows Globally
Biological Lattice Industries Corp. (BLI), a pioneering innovator in biofabrication and life sciences research and development, today announced the successful closing of a $1.8 million pre-seed investment round led by Greek venture capital firm Uni.Fund. This significant funding milestone is set to propel BLI’s mission to simplify and democratize biofabrication processes for researchers worldwide.
In tandem with the funding announcement, BLI is unveiling its first all-in-one solution for biofabrication: BioLoom™, an advanced multi-tool 3D bioprinter, and Loominus Studio™, a unified software platform designed to transform biofabrication workflows.
“Our goal is to make biofabrication as simple and intuitive as possible, empowering researchers to break through technical barriers,” said Filippos Tourlomousis, Founder and CEO of BLI. “This funding will allow us to accelerate the development of our unified platform, enabling researchers to work with greater precision, reproducibility, and efficiency.”
Simplifying Biofabrication for Global Impact
Biofabrication—the process of producing complex biological products from raw materials such as cells, biomaterials, and molecules—has emerged as a cornerstone in advancing healthcare solutions. Its applications are vast, ranging from creating advanced 3D cell culture systems that emulate human biology to developing next-generation resorbable medical devices and drug delivery systems for tissue repair.
However, the complexity of current biofabrication workflows poses significant challenges. Researchers often grapple with coordinating multiple protocols, parameters, and disparate instruments that are not integrated, leading to inefficiencies and hindering innovation.
“By streamlining biofabrication, we’re addressing a critical bottleneck in life sciences R&D,” Tourlomousis explained. “Our integrated approach allows scientists to focus on innovation rather than the technical challenges that have traditionally slowed progress.”
Loominus Studio™: A Unified Biofabrication Platform
At the heart of BLI’s innovation is Loominus Studio™, a software platform that consolidates every aspect of the biofabrication workflow into a single, user-friendly interface. From design to fabrication, the platform enables researchers to automate complex processes, enhancing reproducibility and reducing the time and effort required to optimize biofabrication methods.
“Current software solutions in biofabrication are fragmented, often requiring manual data transfers and lacking interoperability,” noted Tourlomousis. “Loominus Studio™ eliminates these barriers by providing an all-in-one solution that seamlessly integrates design, simulation, and fabrication.”
The platform leverages advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence to optimize fabrication parameters, predict material behaviors, and ensure consistent quality across experiments. This level of integration is unprecedented in the field and is expected to set a new standard for biofabrication software.
BioLoom™: Advancing Beyond Traditional Bioprinting
Complementing Loominus Studio™ is BioLoom™, a versatile multi-tool extrusion-based 3D bioprinter. Unlike conventional bioprinters, BioLoom™ offers high-resolution, multi-material printing capabilities, allowing for the creation of complex architected scaffolds and devices that closely mimic natural biological structures.
“BioLoom™ provides an unparalleled level of versatility and precision,” Tourlomousis added. “Its Active Environmental Control feature ensures reproducibility and supports Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance, which is crucial for labs focused on commercializing their research.”
The printer’s modular design accommodates a range of biomaterials, including hydrogels, thermoplastics, and bioinks containing living cells. This flexibility enables researchers to explore new frontiers in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery systems.
The Growing Importance of Biofabrication in Life Sciences
The global biofabrication market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by advancements in biotechnology and an increasing demand for personalized medical solutions. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets™, the 3D bioprinting market is projected to reach $1.9 billion by 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.6% from 2019.
This growth underscores the urgency for more efficient biofabrication tools. “The complexity and cost of existing biofabrication processes have been significant barriers to entry, particularly for smaller research institutions,” said Dr. Maria Papadopoulos, a leading expert in tissue engineering at the University of Athens. “Innovations like BLI’s integrated platform have the potential to democratize the field, making advanced biofabrication accessible to a broader range of scientists.”
Uni.Fund’s Commitment to Deep Tech Innovation
Uni.Fund, known for its focus on supporting world-class deep tech startups in Europe, sees BLI as a transformative force in biofabrication.
“BLI is a game-changer in the biotech space, with a bold vision to disrupt how biofabrication is performed globally,” said Katerina Pramatari, Founding Partner at Uni.Fund. “Their integrated approach to life sciences R&D, combining sophisticated hardware and software powered by AI, is exactly the kind of innovation that Uni.Fund aims to support.”
Uni.Fund’s investment strategy emphasizes fostering innovation that has both commercial viability and the potential for significant societal impact. By backing BLI, Uni.Fund is reinforcing its commitment to advancing technologies that address critical challenges in healthcare and life sciences.
Accelerating Tissue Engineering Research
One of the early adopters of BLI’s technology is the Biomedical Engineering Department at the National Technical University of Athens. Researchers there have utilized BioLoom™ and Loominus Studio™ to accelerate their work in tissue engineering.
“With BLI’s integrated platform, we’ve reduced the time required for scaffold design and fabrication by over 50%,” said Dr. Elena Sotiropoulou, the lead researcher on the project. “The ability to rapidly iterate designs and automate fabrication processes has significantly advanced our research on cartilage regeneration.”
This case study exemplifies how BLI’s technology can have immediate, tangible benefits for research institutions, potentially leading to faster development of therapies and medical devices.
The Role of AI in Revolutionizing Biofabrication
BLI’s platform incorporates artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to enhance biofabrication processes. By analyzing data from previous experiments, the system can optimize parameters for new fabrications, predict outcomes, and reduce the likelihood of errors.
“Artificial intelligence is a game-changer in biofabrication,” Tourlomousis emphasized. “It allows us to move from a trial-and-error approach to a more predictive and efficient process, saving time and resources.”
The integration of AI not only improves efficiency but also opens new avenues for personalized medicine. By tailoring fabrication parameters to individual patient data, it’s possible to create bespoke medical solutions that are more effective and have fewer side effects.
Shaping the Future of Biofabrication Labs
With its ambitious vision, BLI aims to establish Loominus Studio™ as the industry standard for biofabrication labs. The company plans to continually expand its ecosystem of tools and features, further simplifying complex workflows and enabling new capabilities.
“Our roadmap includes the development of additional hardware modules and software updates that will expand the range of applications for our platform,” Tourlomousis revealed. “We are also exploring partnerships with material scientists and biologists to incorporate new biomaterials and biological components.”
By fostering a collaborative environment, BLI hopes to build a community around its platform, encouraging innovation and accelerating advancements in the field.
About Biological Lattice Industries (BLI)
Founded in 2021, Biological Lattice Industries Corp. (BLI) is a venture-backed startup committed to democratizing biofabrication for life sciences R&D. Through its platform, Loominus Studio™, and its ecosystem of integrated hardware tools, including the BioLoom™ bioprinter, BLI aims to revolutionize the way biomaterials are designed, fabricated, and tested.
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The successful funding round led by Uni.Fund marks a significant milestone for BLI and the biofabrication industry at large. By addressing the complexities of biofabrication with integrated, user-friendly solutions, BLI is poised to make a substantial impact on life sciences research and development. As the company accelerates the rollout of BioLoom™ and Loominus Studio™, researchers worldwide can look forward to more efficient, reproducible, and innovative biofabrication processes.