Conwo Bio Announces IPO Filing to Scale Functional Tissue and Organ Production Using Acoustic Field-Based Bioassembly Technology

In the past two years, interest in regenerative medicine has continued to rise.

On one hand, various technologies in the field of regenerative medicine are rapidly achieving breakthroughs. For example, Shenzhen Kangwo Advanced Manufacturing Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Kangwo”), an innovative technology enterprise in China, has successfully constructed cardiac tissue, neural tissue, muscle tissue, and liver organoids using techniques such as cell culture and acoustic-field bioassembly...

On the other hand, an increasing number of regenerative medicine technologies are beginning to be explored in clinical settings. For instance, in January 2022, researchers and surgeons at the University of Maryland School of Medicine successfully performed the world’s first pig-to-human heart transplant, extending the patient’s life by 59 days. In March 2022, 3D Bio Therapeutics successfully transplanted a 3D-printed ear constructed from the patient’s own autologous cells, thereby reconstructing the external ear for the patient...

In the rapidly advancing field of regenerative medicine, the primary focus is on addressing end-stage organ diseases and the shortage of donors in organ transplantation.

For end-stage organ disease, regenerative medicine technologies can develop and produce artificial organs to replace patients' aging and failing organs, thereby extending their lifespan.For example, artificial hearts and artificial kidneys are the last hope for patients with heart failure and end-stage renal disease, respectively.

Meanwhile, artificial organs also serve as optional solutions for incurable diseases such as diabetes and uremia; for instance, artificial pancreases can be used to address diabetes.

Currently, according to estimates from the "Report on Cardiovascular Health and Diseases in China 2020," there are approximately 8.9 million patients with heart failure in China. Data from the National Health Commission shows that the number of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in China exceeds 1.5 million, increasing at an annual rate of 120,000 to 150,000. According to the "IDF Diabetes Atlas 2021," the number of people with diabetes in China has reached as high as 140 million. In addition to the heart, pancreas, and kidneys, a significant number of patients suffer from end-stage diseases affecting other organs; for instance, there are approximately 8 million patients with end-stage liver disease in China.

It is evident that artificial organs, as the last hope for patients with end-stage organ disease, hold immense social value and offer vast market potential.

Regarding organ transplantation, artificial organs can replace donated organs and be directly implanted into patients, thereby alleviating or resolving the shortage of donors.。

Currently, there is a severe global shortage of donor organs. For instance, in China, up to 1.5 million patients suffer from end-stage heart failure each year, yet only approximately 500–600 undergo organ transplantation. In the United States, 110,000 patients are awaiting suitable organs for transplantation.

Given the value of artificial organs and the substantial clinical demand, a few innovative enterprises such as “Huayuan Regenerative Medicine” have begun to focus on the research and development of artificial organs.

However, Huayuan Regenerative Medicine has discovered in the process of manufacturing biological tissues and organs that existing biofabrication technologies struggle to achieve high-precision, highly biomimetic tissue structures capable of providing an optimal microenvironment for cells. This limitation results in fabricated tissues and organs that are relatively loose in structure and fail to fully recapitulate the native physiological functions.

Fortunately, Mr. Zheng Lixin, founder of Huayuan Regenerative Medicine, identified acoustic field bioassembly technology on a global scale, which addresses the technical challenge where existing artificial tissues and organs mimic the form but not the function of native counterparts. Consequently, Mr. Zheng invited Professor Chen Pu, the inventor of acoustic field bioassembly technology, to establish Kangwo.

According to available information, Kangwo is the world’s first innovative technology enterprise to use physical acoustic fields as a platform, integrating stem cell development, traditional 3D printing, and other technologies to manipulate stem cell growth and the combination of cells and materials, thereby synthesizing highly bioactive tissues and organs. Its long-term goal is to produce high-quality, clinical-grade artificial organs.

Kangwo stated, “We aim to leverage the integration of diverse biofabrication technologies to efficiently and intelligently manufacture high-fidelity tissues and organs, thereby empowering the biopharmaceutical and cultured meat industries, while providing clinically viable engineered organ products.”

On June 17, Kangwo held a CJTER Series Cloud Lecture on Medical-Engineering Integration, themed “Next-Generation Bio-Convergent Manufacturing Technology.” Distinguished attendees included Zhao Meng from the Editorial Office of Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research; Professor Chen Pu, Director of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University; Professor Cao Xiaodong from the School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology; Professor Zhou Qing from the Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University; Associate Professor Ma Liang from the School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University; Associate Professor Chen Jiahong from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong; Associate Professor Fu Hongxing from Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University; and Mr. Zheng Lixin, Chairman of Kangwo Advanced Manufacturing Technology Co., Ltd.

At the event, attendees discussed topics including the current progress and challenges in organ and tissue manufacturing, the characteristics of integrating acoustic field with 3D printing technologies for research and fabrication of organs and tissues, insights inspired by acoustic field-assisted organ assembly, and applications of advanced techniques such as microfluidics and cell microencapsulation in tissue engineering.

According to reports, human tissues possess a high cell density; for instance, the extracellular matrix in the liver accounts for only 0.5–3%. However, in traditional bioprinting, the proportion of bioink (which mimics the extracellular matrix) is significantly higher than this physiological ratio. This discrepancy results in printed tissues with insufficient cell density, hindering the formation of intercellular connections and leading to suboptimal overall functionality. Furthermore, the shear stress exerted by the nozzles in extrusion-based bioprinting adversely affects cell viability, resulting in unsatisfactory survival rates.

Professor Chen Pu, founder of Kangwo and inventor of acoustic field-based bioassembly technology, stated, “Unlike existing traditional bioprinting technologies, acoustic field-based bioassembly technology can directly manipulate cells by modulating the energy distribution in space, thereby achieving cell densities similar to those of primary tissues and ensuring intercellular connections, which in turn guarantees tissue functionality. Literature and experimental evidence indicate that appropriate cell density and intercellular connectivity help enhance the functionality of assembled constructs and promote stem cell differentiation.”

Konvo believes that acoustic field-based bioassembly technology will break the limits of biomanufacturing, enabling the scalable production of various engineered tissues and organs, and providing an innovative technological platform for clinical-grade applications in regenerative medicine and pharmaceutical research.。

As of now, Kangwo has completed the assembly of the first-generation CB101 Bioassembler and the design of the second-generation bioassembler, and is on the verge of completing the assembly of the upgraded CB102 Bioassembler.

Based on the beta version and the first-generation CB101 Bioassembler, the Kangwo team successfully constructed cardiomyocyte tissues capable of autonomous, synchronized rhythmic beating, liver organoids with robust functional characterization, three-dimensional neural networks with physiological electrical signal transmission capabilities, and centimeter-scale muscle tissues with densely packed cells. In addition, Kangwo is developing other tissue models, including cartilage, microvasculature, and pancreatic organoids.

Compared with tissue and organ constructs fabricated by traditional bioprinting techniques, the cardiac tissue produced by Kangwo can achieve rhythmic beating, and its three-dimensional neural networks can transmit physiological electrical signals... This demonstrates that its engineered tissues and organs represent a significant step forward.

Currently, Convoy’s core product portfolio comprises multiple generations of acoustic field-based biofabrication systems, cells, bioinks, and other consumables. An acoustic field is an energy field driven by sound waves, capable of positioning objects with mass and dimensions—such as cells and particles—in three-dimensional space. By leveraging conventional photocuring and thermosensitive hydrogel technologies, the biofabrication system can complete the assembly of cells and matrices within an extremely short timeframe.

Kangwo stated, “At this stage, the company primarily provides equipment, consumables, and services related to drug screening and pathological models to the scientific research sector, the medical-engineering collaborative industry, and the pharmaceutical industry. Meanwhile, the company will also deliver high-performance manufacturing solutions for industries involving overall cellular growth and development, such as cultured meat.”

As an innovative technology company dedicated to clinical-grade artificial organs, Kangwo boasts a robust R&D team. Notably, Professor Chen Pu, the founder of Kangwo, is the inventor of acoustic field bio-assembly technology. He has utilized this technology at Stanford University, Harvard University, and Wuhan University to fabricate highly viable tissues, establishing a corresponding patent portfolio.

Furthermore, building on the technology developed at Stanford University, Professor Chen Pu has completed technological iterations at Wuhan University and filed related patents. Currently, Kangwo has completed the assignment of Professor Chen’s relevant patents and is drafting additional patent applications to strengthen its intellectual property portfolio.

To date, Mr. Zheng Lixin, Chairman of Kangwo, has invested in and founded nearly ten projects and companies focused on organ and tissue regeneration, including Iviva Organics at Harvard University in the United States, Rege Nephro for kidney regeneration at Kyoto University in Japan, and Huayuan Regenerative Medicine Company in China.

Mr. Zheng Lixin stated, “Only with a deep understanding of multiple industries, including cell manufacturing, biomaterials, organ synthesis, and organ transplantation, can one master the core of bioassembly technology.”

Furthermore, Huayuan Regenerative Medicine currently employs 95 R&D personnel in China dedicated to organ regeneration, boasting five years of development experience in cell development, culture, transplantation, biomaterial preparation, and organ synthesis. This provides Kangwo with a uniquely advantageous technical support platform.

Leveraging its robust R&D team and the financial and resource support provided by Mr. Zheng Lixin, Kangwo plans to launch two models of its first-generation device in 2022, complete the design for three generations, and conduct assembly on ten relatively simple human tissues and organs to evaluate the performance of both the equipment and its tissue products.

Over the next five years, Kangwo aims to continuously optimize its products, establish a large-scale AI database, provide a cloud-based service platform, assemble complex human tissues and organs such as the heart, liver, and lungs, and advance select clinical-grade products into clinical trial phases.

Currently, Kangwo is conducting a seed funding round of RMB 10 million. The raised funds will be used for the sales and iterative development of products such as equipment, consumables, and platforms, as well as for advancing the productization of tissue and organ analogs.