India & Australia to cooperate over organ bio-printing

Visakhapatnam: In order to strengthen Indo-Australian Cooperation, exchanges and achieve a win-win development of 3D printing Industry in both the nations, Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) has organized a one-day workshop on Organ Bio Printing at the Kalam Convention Center, AMTZ Campus.

The Workshop explored 3D printing, an innovative technology that covers all medical disciplines and offers new opportunities in diagnostics and therapy. From diagnostic visualization to surgical planning, patient-specific models provide an added value for patients and physicians.

Dr Jitendar Kumar Sharma, MD & CEO welcomed the delegates to this informative session and took the audience through the journey and evolution of 3D Printing in India.  He invited the audience to experience the 3D printing facility at AMTZ, which is one of the largest 3D printing facilities in the world with diverse materials and diverse applications. He also spoke about Bio Harmonised Aids for Rehabilitation and Treatment (BHARAT), a new initiative being to develop at least 10 organs by 3D Bioprinting. He Invited international and national collaboration in this project that would benefit lakhs of people.

Dr Gordon Wallace, who was appointed as an officer of the order of Australia in January 2017 is involved in the design and discovery of new materials for use in energy and health. He elaborated on metal 3D Printing giving valuable insights on sourcing the right material, formula formation and development of prototype and commercialization of 3D Bio-Printed products. Dr Gordon Wallace is also director of Translational Research Initiative for Cellular Engineering and Printing (TRICEP)

Dr Payal Mukherjee, is an Otologist, Cochlear Implant and Lateral Skull Base Surgeon in Sydney & Deputy Chair of the RACS NSW State Committee. She has an interest in both basic scientific and clinical research. She is currently undertaking a PhD in disruptive technologies in ENT Surgery. She stressed on the need for not only research but also availability of facilities conducting clinical trials on Large Animals. She also highlighted the need for collaboration and role of cosmetic surgeons in usage of 3D Printed Bio Organs.

Dr Sanjay Gambhir, Associate director, TRICEP (Bio-Inks & Bio Materials) elucidated the difference between the processes, customization and sterilization of general 3D printing and Bio 3D Printing

Dr Raghunandan, Consultant ENT Surgeon at Madras ENT Research Foundation (MERF), Chennai stressed the need for financial aid from government for surgeries involving 3D Printed parts as they could be expensive at times.

Mr Alok Medikepura Anil is an Entrepreneur focussed on bringing about change in his fields of expertise – Industry 4.0 with a focus on 3D Printing. He took the audience through the journey of his start up, Next Big Innovation Labs and said that their long-term goal is to explore clinical applications for 3D Bioprinted skin and empower other researchers with our proprietary 3D Bioprinting technology.

Mr Rajasekhar Upputuri, CEO, Think 3D which has its largest service facility within AMTZ demystified the concept of 3D printing and said “3D Printing is all about producing anything you want on demand within limited time and at an affordable price.

AusIno Vex 2019 comprised insights into different stakeholders’ perspectives, expert views on theoretical and practical challenges in the fields of 3D printing and also an update on 3D printing in medical applications.