A research team at Newcastle University has recently introduced an innovative bioprinting technique that could significantly accelerate drug discovery and enhance treatment development for major health conditions, including arthritis and cardiovascular disease. The technology, known as Reactive Jet Impingement (ReJI), mimics the complexity of human tissues more accurately than traditional lab models, marking a pivotal step toward faster, more precise testing of new medicines.
Backed by funding from Versus Arthritis, the patented ReJI method uses a unique dual-liquid jetting approach. One jet contains cells in a cross-linking solution, while the other carries a polymer. These jets collide in mid-air, instantly forming cell-rich hydrogels that can be deposited on a wide variety of surfaces—creating tissue-like structures in a way that’s up to 10 times more efficient than standard bioprinting methods.
Unlike conventional 2D cell cultures, which offer limited biological accuracy, this 3D cell matrix more closely replicates the natural environment of human cells, paving the way for higher-fidelity drug testing. To bring this innovation into the mainstream, the researchers have launched a spin-out company called Jetbio, aiming to deliver this cutting-edge printing technology to labs worldwide.
“Drug development is notoriously slow and expensive, with only about 10% of potential drugs ever reaching the market,” explained Professor Stephen Dalgarno from Newcastle University’s School of Engineering. “Better lab models that behave more like human tissues are key to identifying promising treatments earlier in the pipeline.”
The urgency of such innovation is especially clear in the treatment of arthritis, which affects over 500 million people globally. Traditional therapies offer limited relief, but Jetbio’s printers could support the growth of personalized cartilage implants through a technique called Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)—potentially enabling quicker and more successful joint repair surgeries.
Lucy Donaldson, Director of Research at Versus Arthritis, highlighted the broader impact: “The Jetbio team is at the forefront of biomedical innovation. Their work promises not only to speed up drug development, but also to improve its accuracy—ensuring safer and more effective treatments for a range of conditions.”
The printers, about the size of a coffee machine, are already attracting global attention. As part of the EU-funded REBORN project, the Newcastle team is developing a bioprinted heart chamber model designed to simulate a beating heart using living cardiac cells. This could become a powerful tool for testing new cardiovascular therapies in a controlled lab environment.
To demonstrate the technology’s capabilities, Jetbio conducted hands-on workshops at Bristol, Newcastle, and Cambridge, thanks to support from the NC3Rs (National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research). The printers are now being integrated into university laboratories, setting the stage for a new era of predictive and personalized medicine.
As the global demand for efficient, ethical, and high-fidelity testing models grows, Jetbio’s 3D bioprinting platform may be poised to reshape the landscape of drug discovery and regenerative healthcare.