The partners will develop diagnostic methods and point of care devices, comprising a printable bioink, electrochemical systems and optical devices, to determine male infertility

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The medical device will consider spermatocytes to determine infertility. (Credit: CELLINK)

Cellink, a company of Bico, has teamed up with Spermosens, Malmö University and Saint Louis University (SLU) to develop an in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) device to help determine infertility.

Spermosens is a Swedish biotechnology company engaged in developing and commercialising a diagnostic device for functional male infertility.

Cellink offers bioinks, bioprinters and services that support advanced 3D cell culturing, tissue engineering and drug development.

Under the collaboration, the partners will work to develop diagnostic methods and point of care devices, comprising a printable bioink, electrochemical systems and optical devices.

The medical devices are customised for proteins related to spermatocytes, which are the primary cells used for determining the degree of infertility.

The collaboration is partly financed by Sweden-based non-for-profit foundation KK Stiftelse.

Cellink CSO Itedale Namro Redwan said: “Reproductive health is an extremely important field of medicine where the potential of bioprinting has not been realized.

“We are excited to work with such a motivated and knowledgeable group to develop a device that can impact millions of lives.”

Infertility is a widespread health condition, which is estimated to affect more than 48 million couples currently living with infertility, according to the WHO.

Despite advancements in the treatment of infertility and ways to conceive, a large gap exists in the diagnosis of infertility with 40% of the cases still going unexplained.

Cellink claimed that the collaboration will address the gap in the diagnosis of infertility.

It will leverage Spermosens’ background intellectual property on developing novel diagnostic methods and point-of-care devices to determine infertility in men.

Spermosens CEO John Lempert said: “We are committed to our mission to develop improved diagnostic solutions to the challenges posed globally by infertility.

“As part of this commitment, we are confident we have found partners that share this goal and will provide a wealth of expertise that will truly accelerate the development process and ultimately benefit to an increased quality of life for the millions affected worldwide.”