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BIOLIFE4D

ApplicationBuffalo Grove, IL, USAFounded 2016· One of 381 Application companies tracked by AMPulse

Develops 3D bioprinting technology to create patient-specific human hearts for transplantation, using the patient's own cells to eliminate organ rejection and reduce transplant waiting lists.

CEO / Founder
Steven Morris
Team Size
1-10
Stage
Active
Total Funding
$13M
Latest Round
Crowdfunding
Key Investors
Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JLABS

Technology & Products

Key Products

Mini-heart for cardiotoxicity testing; Cardiac patches for tissue repair; Full human heart for transplantation (in development)

Technological Advantage

Proprietary bioprinting process optimized for cardiac tissue, leveraging adult and iPS stem cells; strategic partnerships with Argonne National Laboratory for advanced research; technology focuses on optimization rather than invention, accelerating development.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Enables on-demand, personalized heart transplants with zero rejection risk, potentially saving lives by addressing the 114,000+ U.S. organ transplant waiting list and reducing dependency on donors.

How They Differentiate

Focuses exclusively on 3D bioprinting human hearts for transplantation, unlike competitors targeting broader tissue engineering or organ-on-chip models; uses patient-specific cells for zero rejection, while others may use generic cell lines.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Patients with heart disease requiring transplants, pharmaceutical companies for drug testing

Industry Verticals

Medical; Pharmaceutical

Competitors

3D Bioprinting Solutions; Aspect Biosystems; regenHU

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Annual revenue reached $750K as of January 2024; 7 employees across North America; raised $13.3M in funding

Major Milestones

Successfully 3D bioprinted human cardiac tissue (June 2018); Became first U.S. company to bioprint a mini-heart for cardiotoxicity testing (September 2019); Filed for $17.5M IPO with SEC

https://biolife4d.com

Why this company matters

Biolife4D focuses exclusively on 3D bioprinting human hearts for transplantation, a narrower mission than competitors pursuing general tissue engineering or organ-on-chip models. By using patient-specific adult and iPS stem cells, the company aims to eliminate immune rejection and reduce dependency on donor organs, addressing the 114,000+ U.S. organ transplant waiting list.

The company's core technology is material extrusion (MEX) bioprinting, optimized for cardiac tissue. Key products include a mini-heart for cardiotoxicity testing (first in the U.S. to bioprint such a model, September 2019), cardiac patches for tissue repair, and a full human heart for transplantation still in development. Biolife4D leverages proprietary bioprinting processes and a partnership with Argonne National Laboratory for advanced research, focusing on optimization rather than invention to accelerate development.

Target customers include pharmaceutical companies needing better preclinical drug testing models and heart disease patients awaiting transplants. The company has raised $13.3M from investors including Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JLABS, and reported $750K in annual revenue as of January 2024 with a team of seven. A $17.5M IPO filing with the SEC signals intent to scale.

The strategic moat lies in the exclusive focus on cardiac bioprinting with patient-specific cells, which differs from competitors like Aspect Biosystems or regenHU that address broader tissue types or use generic cell lines. Key risks include the technical challenge of scaling from mini-heart to full organ, regulatory hurdles for transplantable bioprinted hearts, and the need for substantially more capital to reach clinical application.