Organoids are grown from stem cells specific to a particular organ. The resulting complex 3D cell structures are representative of the organ in question, such as the liver, intestines, or pancreas. Organoids mimic the key functional, structural, and biological components of an organ, making them particularly useful for researching various diseases and the underlying physiological processes, as well as testing new medicines. Organoids play a crucial role in speeding up drug development and contribute to reducing the number of animal experiments. Researchers across various medical disciplines, as well as biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies, are already using organoids.
More Efficient Cultivation Process
The cultivation of organoids still faces several challenges. The traditional, manual cultivation process is labor-intensive, while more general automated cultivation systems take up significant space in the lab and require substantial investment. Many research groups at Utrecht University work with organoids. Researchers Kerstin Schneeberger and Bart Spee, for example, are exploring the application of organoids as replacements for complete donor organs or as liver models for drug research. Their goal was to make the cultivation of the organoids they need for their research more efficient.
Simple Bioreactor
Schneeberger and Spee studied the specific conditions that promote the growth of organoids in a reactor, particularly focusing on the stirring process of the medium in which the organoids grow to understand the optimal growth conditions. They designed a stirrer optimized for organoid cultivation. In collaboration with Eindhoven University of Technology, they demonstrated that the stirrer design ensures a homogeneous liquid flow in the bioreactor. They also developed cultivation protocols for different types of organoids. The now-patented technology ensures proper mixing of cells and nutrients, preventing the cells from being exposed to excessive mechanical or thermal stress. This laid the foundation for developing a simple bioreactor in the form of a compact module. Four standard culture tubes can be placed inside, each fitted with a stirrer that is individually controlled according to the appropriate protocol. This module can be placed in an incubator, which is typically available in laboratories.
Accessible Solution
In 2023, Schneeberger and Spee founded Orgonex as a spin-off from their work at Utrecht University / ICAT. Marleen van Nuenen, with more than 25 years of experience in the food, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries, was appointed CEO. "Kerstin and Bart wanted to make organoid cultivation easier and cheaper. With Orgonex, we are providing the bioreactor to achieve that. Starting with the same amount of stem cells, our system will deliver five times the yield in the same amount of time, compared to static cultivation in culture plates. This results in 60% less cost for medium and reduces the labor of researchers or lab technicians by 75%. Our system works plug-and-play, interfaces easily with existing lab infrastructure, and requires minimal budget and training. This makes our solution accessible for researchers in both academia and industry.”
Strong Partner
The first customers have already expressed interest, and Orgonex aims to begin commercial distribution of the bioreactor this year, says Van Nuenen. Since the final step towards market introduction required significant product development and investment, the company sought a strong partner, which was found in Demcon. As a result, Demcon acquired a majority stake in Orgonex on December 30, 2024. Orgonex is now part of Demcon Life Sciences & Health. This Demcon division already has a strong position in biotechnology, particularly in cell culture, with several companies, including Scinus Cell Expansion (systems for large-scale cell cultivation), ReGEN Biomedical (tissue culture automation), and Sync Biosystems (automation of biotechnological research).
Collaboration, Learning, and Sharing
Orgonex will establish its operations in Zeist, in the same building where Scinus Cell Expansion is located, Van Nuenen reports. "Through them, we connected with Demcon, who are now helping us with the final stages of development. They have everything in place for medical product development; recently, they even established a company that writes manuals for devices like ours. We will collaborate closely with Scinus, including through the integration of employees and facilities. We will also learn from the services they provide to their customers. In turn, we have valuable resources to share with our new colleagues at Demcon Life Sciences & Health, such as access to consortia for regenerative medicine, where we are involved, and a vast network we have built in the academic and pharmaceutical fields."
Social Impact
Demcon develops technological solutions for societal challenges, explains Michiel Jannink, Vice President of Demcon Life Sciences & Health. "Originally starting in high-tech mechatronics, we have been active in life sciences & health for almost fifteen years. This has given us extensive experience in developing and commercializing medical technology, especially bioreactor technology. We are now applying this broad expertise to support Orgonex. They are a great addition to our portfolio, as we aim to cover the entire biotechnology chain—from cell cultivation to tissue and organoid production. With their technology, we are taking the next step in the growing organoid market and making an impact on medical, biotechnological, and pharmaceutical research."
About Demcon
Demcon (1,100+ employees) develops, manufactures, and delivers technology and innovative products. The Demcon group has locations in Best, Delft, Enschede, Groningen, Leiden, Maastricht, Scheveningen, Münster (Germany), Tokyo (Japan), and Singapore. The company was born out of its founders' passion for combining creativity and technical expertise to solve complex issues. These issues are technological and societal in nature and often directly or indirectly impact people and their surroundings. Whether it concerns medical solutions, systems that protect our safety or sustainable innovations in areas like water and energy, Demcon's contributions benefit current and future generations. In addition to developing technical solutions, Demcon is committed to fostering entrepreneurship and investing in talent and education.
About Orgonex
Orgonex was founded in 2023 as a spin-off from Utrecht University. The company originated from research aimed at improving the organoid cultivation process. Organoids are miniature organs used for fundamental research as well as medical and pharmaceutical applications. This research led to the development of a bioreactor that yields five times more than traditional manual cultivation methods. The compact system is easier to integrate into the laboratory process than other automation solutions for cultivation. This makes the bioreactor suitable for both academic research groups and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Orgonex is based in Zeist and is part of the Demcon group, which is strongly developing in biotechnology and regenerative medicine. Together, they are working on introducing the bioreactor to the market in 2025.
