The two firms will collaborate to create 4D bio-fabricated corneal transplants for diseases that require both natural lenticule and endothelial keratoplasty
Precise Bio's bio-fabricated cornea. (Credit: PR Newswire/ Precise Bio)
Germany-based Carl Zeiss Meditec and regenerative medicine firm Precise Bio have entered into a partnership to develop and commercialise fabricated corneal tissue.
The tissue is intended to be implanted in patients who require endothelial keratoplasty and natural lenticule transplants for treating keratoconus and vision correction.
Under the deal, Carl Zeiss Meditec will invest in Precise Bio, provide funding for the development of its two cornea transplant products and hold the exclusive worldwide commercialisation rights for these products.
Both companies have not revealed their financial details.
Precise Bio co-founder and CEO Aryeh Batt said: “We are very excited with this partnership that builds on our successful, ongoing collaboration with ZEISS for the development of corneal tissues to address unmet needs in the field of ophthalmology.
“This strategic agreement leverages ZEISS’ global leadership in ophthalmology and Precise’s innovative and unique 4D bio-fabrication platform technology.
“We are confident that the synergy between the two companies will allow us to develop breakthrough solutions for recovering patients’ eyesight, bringing hope to hundreds of millions of patients worldwide.”
Precise Bio has created a 4D bio-fabrication platform for transplantable organs and tissues by combining engineering, biomaterials, cell technology, bioengineering, and 3D printing.
Its patented platform technology enables the creation of complex organoid constructions with structural integrity and long-term cell viability by printing cells with single-cell precision and spatial accuracy.
Precise Bio said that its 4D bio-fabrication technology will help scale up tissue engineering for clinical usage and create huge volumes in a repeatable, quality-controlled, and cost-effective manner.
Precise Bio’s ophthalmological pipeline includes three products, which include a retinal implant for age-related macular degeneration and two cornea products that are subject to cooperation with Carl Zeiss Meditec. All products have shown promising results in animal models.