3D-Printed Living Cancer Models Developed in India

The development of indigenous bio-inks is a critical step for India's biomanufacturing ambitions, reducing reliance on costly imported materials and tailoring solutions to local research needs. In November 2024, the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) announced India's first patented indigenous bio-ink, Scire Chitra GelMA – UVS Bioink, designed for advanced 3D bioprinting. This signals a growing trend of domestic innovation aimed at making tissue engineering more accessible and affordable. This move into proprietary biomaterials is crucial for creating the complex, multi-cellular, and reproducible tumor models needed for high-throughput drug screening. Such models more accurately mimic the tumor microenvironment compared to traditional 2D cultures, which is critical for assessing the efficacy of new cancer therapies. The ability to precisely control the composition and structure of these models allows for more reliable preclinical data. Several Indian startups are already making significant strides in this space. Bengaluru-based Next Big Innovation Labs (NBIL) has developed its own 3D bioprinter, the Trivima, and is working on 3D bioprinted human skin. Another Chennai-based startup, Avay Biosciences, launched its indigenously developed bio 3D printer, the Mito Plus, in late 2022, which is being used by pharmaceutical companies for drug screening and toxicity studies. The growth of 3D bioprinting in India is supported by both government initiatives and private investment. Programs like the Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) scheme provide early-stage funding, while incubation centers offer access to advanced prototyping facilities. This ecosystem is fostering a new generation of biotech startups. The global 3D bioprinting market is projected to expand significantly, with some analysts predicting a compound annual growth rate of over 12%. For this technology to be widely adopted in drug development, clear regulatory pathways are essential. In India, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is working to create frameworks for 3D printed medical devices. The development of standardized protocols for the production and quality control of 3D bioprinted tissues will be a critical next step for their use in clinical trials and personalized medicine. The integration of automation and data management is key to scaling up the use of 3D bioprinted models in preclinical workflows. High-throughput screening using these models generates vast amounts of data, necessitating robust Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for tracking samples, managing process parameters, and ensuring data integrity for regulatory submissions. This aligns with the broader push towards Industry 4.0 applications in GMP environments. The ability to create patient-specific cancer models using their own cells represents a significant step towards personalized medicine. These customized models can be used to test various chemotherapies and other treatments to predict a patient's response before beginning treatment. This not only has the potential to improve patient outcomes but also to reduce the time and cost of drug development. This advancement in 3D bioprinting aligns with global trends in the cell and gene therapy space, where there is a strong emphasis on developing more predictive preclinical models. As the technology matures, it will become an increasingly valuable tool for process development scientists and manufacturing operations in the CDMO industry, helping to de-risk and accelerate the path to the clinic for new therapies.