The diagnostic devices will be customised with proteins related to spermatocytes to determine infertility.
Cellink has collaborated with Spermosens, Malmö University and Saint Louis University (SLU) to develop an in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) device to help determine male infertility.
Under the collaboration, the companies will work to develop diagnostic methods and point-of-care devices, including electrochemical systems, printable bioink and optical devices.
The medical devices will be customised with proteins related to spermatocytes, which are the primary cells used to determine the degree of infertility in men.
According to the WHO, infertility is a widespread health condition that is estimated to currently affect more than 48 million couples.
Despite progress being made in the treatment of infertility and ways to conceive, a large gap still exists in diagnosing infertility, with 40% of the cases still going unexplained.
The collaboration partners expect the new diagnostic methods and devices to address the gap in diagnosing infertility, providing improved decision-making and patient results.
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Cellink CSO Itedale Namro Redwan said: “Reproductive health is an extremely important field of medicine where the potential of bioprinting has not been realised.
“We are excited to work with such a motivated and knowledgeable group to develop a device that can impact millions of lives.”
The collaboration will use Spermosens’ intellectual property rights to develop new diagnostic methods and point-of-care devices to determine male infertility.
The project is part of Prospekt 21 and will be partly funded by KK Stiftelse.
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.”
