ApplicationSan Diego, CaliforniaFounded 2007· One of 462 Application companies tracked by AMPulse
Organovo develops 3D printed human tissues to revolutionize drug discovery and medical research.
CEO / Founder
Keith Murphy
Team Size
11-50
Stage
Public
Total Funding
$100M
Latest Round
Acquired
Key Investors
Methuselah Foundation, Lifeline Ventures
Technology & Products
Key Products
ExVive3D liver tissue, 3D printed kidney tissue
Technological Advantage
Advanced 3D bioprinting technology enabling the creation of complex tissue structures that improve drug efficacy testing.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Provides innovative 3D bioprinted tissues that offer more accurate drug testing and potential for organ transplantation.
How They Differentiate
Focuses on developing functional tissues tailored for drug testing and potential organ transplantation, unlike competitors who primarily emphasize bioprinting technology.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Pharmaceutical companies and medical research institutions
Industry Verticals
Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Research
Competitors
CELLINK; Aspect Biosystems; BioLife Solutions
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Significant stock price increase following the Eli Lilly deal
Major Milestones
Successfully developed and tested 3D printed kidney tissue, Partnered with the University of Virginia, Sold the FXR program to Eli Lilly
Organovo occupies a distinctive position in the additive manufacturing landscape as a pioneer of 3D bioprinted human tissues. While many competitors focus on selling bioprinting hardware or bioinks, Organovo develops functional tissue models intended to replicate organ complexity for pharmaceutical drug discovery and medical research. This application-oriented approach differentiates it from technology-centric rivals such as CELLINK and Aspect Biosystems.
The company's core technology is extrusion-based bioprinting (MEX), which deposits living cells and biomaterials layer by layer to build tissue constructs. Its primary products include ExVive3D liver tissue and 3D printed kidney tissue. These models are designed to provide more physiologically relevant platforms for drug efficacy and toxicity testing compared to traditional 2D cell cultures or animal models.
Organovo's target customers are pharmaceutical companies and medical research institutions. A notable partnership with Eli Lilly involved the sale of the company's FXR program, a liver tissue-based assay for drug screening. The company has also collaborated with the University of Virginia on tissue engineering research. These relationships validate the commercial relevance of its bioprinted tissue models in the drug development pipeline.
The company's strategic moat rests on its early-mover position and accumulated expertise in tissue design and validation. However, the field remains nascent, and questions persist about the scalability of bioprinted tissue manufacturing and the breadth of adoption across the pharmaceutical industry. Organovo's ability to secure repeat partnerships with major drug developers will be critical to its long-term competitive standing.