FluidForm announces investment from Hackensack Meridian Health
January 11, 2022
FluidForm, a leader in the field of recreating human tissue to radically transform drug discovery, surgical repair, and replacement, today announced an investment from Hackensack Meridian Health and its Bear’s Den innovation program. The investment will enable FluidForm to advance key applications in tissue for drug discovery and surgical repair, including collaboration on preclinical work in 2022.
“This is an exciting concept, with lots of therapeutic potential,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “These are the kinds of strategic investments that have the potential to help us transform health care for our communities and beyond.’’
The investment comes amid rapid company growth. FluidForm has recently accomplished several key milestones, including: establishing a pilot biofabrication line outside of Boston, receiving grants from both NIH and NSF for foundational work on key programs, and collaborating with multiple top life science companies.
Mike Graffeo, CEO and co-founder of FluidForm, said: “As we continue to advance our leading tissue applications, clinical input and partnership are a key element of our successful growth. We are excited to work with the truly outstanding group of clinical and research experts at Hackensack Meridian Health.”
The ability to recreate functional human tissue has the potential to transform human health. FluidForm’s FRESH™ printing is a leading technology that has been proven to recreate biology, from structure to function. FluidForm seeks to deliver on the promise of tissue therapies, in order to radically transform human health and longevity.
This investment in Fluid Form is Hackensack Meridian Health’s sixth through the Bear’s Den, the health network’s successful innovation program, which seeks to drive medical science forward by supporting strategic candidates in biotech and pharma.
Launched in 2017, Bear’s Den features a panel of experts, including Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Garrett, leading physicians, key network executives, venture capitalists, patent attorneys, who gather regularly to vet proposals from entrepreneurs. The health network’s novel incubator has vetted many products and strategies to streamline care delivery, reduce infections, lower hospital readmissions, and help patients partner in their care with physicians.
“At Hackensack Meridian Health, we have identified regenerative medicine as a key focus area where we bring unique expertise and experience,” said Dr. Ihor Sawczuck, chief research officer and president of Hackensack Meridian Health’s Northern Region. “We are thrilled to invest in and collaborate with FluidForm across their portfolio of tissue applications in novel drug discovery and medical devices.”