Development of High-Concentration Collagen Bio-ink for High-Resolution 3D Bioprinting

Dec. 11, 2025New
NEWS
Development of High-Concentration Collagen Bio-ink for High-Resolution 3D Bioprinting
Nippi Research Institute of Biomatrix has developed a high-concentration Collagen Bio-ink that enables high-resolution 3D bioprinting, overcoming the limitations of conventional collagen bio-ink. This innovative material is expected to significantly contribute to the fabrication of complex 3D tissue models and the development of new medical materials across a wide range of fields, including orthopedics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and drug discovery research.

 

 
Background
In recent years, 3D bioprinting technology has attracted significant attention in the medical and drug discovery sectors as a powerful tool for reproducing the complex structures of biological tissues and organs. Collagen-based bio-inks are particularly advantageous as medical materials due to their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, conventional collagen bio-inks present challenges in maintaining the printed shape and require precise temperature and pH control during the printing process.

Overview of the New Bio-ink
Nippi’s newly developed Collagen Bio-ink leverages proprietary technology to achieve a collagen concentration exceeding 10%, significantly surpassing conventional products (typically 1–7%). This advancement is achieved while ensuring stable extrusion through fine nozzles (inner diameter: 0.2 mm).
Crucially, this new bio-ink also offers superior ease of use:
  • Room Temperature Printing: Eliminates the need for complex temperature control (cooling or heating) required by conventional collagen bio-inks.
  • Simplified Bioprinting: Enables easier and more efficient fabrication of high-resolution 3D collagen structures that were previously difficult to print.
  • Cell Compatibility: The bio-ink’s neutral pH allows direct mixing with cells and bioactive substances for bioprinting applications.
This breakthrough technology is protected by Japanese Patent No. 7696580, jointly owned by Nippi and Sunarrow Ltd. In addition, a PCT application is currently pending in the United States. 
Through the distribution of this Collagen Bio-ink, Nippi aims to support medical and pharmaceutical research and drive technological progress toward clinical applications.

Demonstrated Results

The bio-ink has been successfully used to fabricate detailed human tissue-like models, including the meniscus, femur, nose, and ear. Furthermore, it was used to create a cell-laden, lattice-shaped sheet structure. The construct retained its shape after approximately one week of culture, and the cells within the structure were confirmed to be viable and properly localized.




Product Information
Feature Details
Product Name
Collagen Bio-ink
Product Code
892271
Raw Material
Pepsin-solubilized collagen derived from porcine skin
Form
Syringe filled lyophilized bio-ink (0.3 g)
Applications
Construction of 3D tissue models, transplantation materials, drug delivery system carriers, and various applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and pharmaceutical research.
Key Features
High Concentration: High rigidity minimizes spreading and collapse during layer stacking, enabling vertical printing without support materials.
  High Resolution: Stable extrusion through fine nozzles (0.2 mm) enables precise fabrication of microscale and complex structures.
  Excellent Operability: Room-temperature printing; neutral pH allows direct mixing with cells and bioactive substances.


Contact Information

For product inquiries, please contact:
Biological and Chemical Business Department
Email: protein-info@nippi-inc.co.jp