3D and 4D bioprinted human model patenting and the future of drug development

Abstract

3D and 4D bioprinted human model patenting and the future of drug development Bioprinted 3D and 4D tissues and organs are expected to revolutionize the biomedical field, eliminating the need for laboratory animals, but little is known about the future impacts of these technologies on drug development. Considering the reviewed literature, patent analysis, and respondents’ views, it seems feasible that the use of 3D/4D bioprinted models in the drug development process will become a reality in coming years. Technology-driven changes are known to have a strong impact on the way research and development is performed. Thus, if these expectations are fulfilled, these models may not only change the way drug development is carried out, but the way research is done and taught. Facilities for breeding, rearing, and managing laboratory animals will not be needed, research protocols will be changed or abandoned, and ethical approval for drug testing may no longer be required. Consequently, universities and entities engaged in research will also need to change in order to adapt to this emerging paradigm. Preparing for the future is therefore a necessity for both the scientists involved in the advancement of knowledge and the organizations and governments supporting and financing their activities. By forecasting future outcomes of 3D/4D bioprinted models, our study may help them prepare for the future of drug development, which, as our results suggest, is expected to be very different from the current model.