CompagOs is dedicated to advancing bone health by helping researchers translate scientific discoveries into real-world applications, and ultimately, better treatments for patients. At the heart of its work are biologically reproducible Bon3OID™ in vitro bone models, produced using bioprinting. According to the company, early use of Bon3OID™-DX has the potential to reduce, delay, or even prevent serious complications associated with bone diseases, including fractures, surgery, radiation therapy, and chronic pain—significantly improving patients’ quality of life. We spoke with CompagOs to learn more about its 3D-printed bone models and their potential impact.
3DN: Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us how you got into 3D printing and how CompagOs was founded?
We are CompagOs, a spin-off of ETH Zurich founded in 2023. Our focus is on developing innovative solutions for diagnostics and research in the field of bone biology. At the heart of our technology are Bon3OID™ models – 3D bioprinted bone models made from human stem cells. The basis for this technology was developed at ETH Zurich in the Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics under the direction of Prof. Ralph Müller. The original goal was to create an in vitro model system that provides a biologically relevant environment for researching bones and bone diseases – without relying on conventional 2D models or animal testing. A decisive breakthrough was achieved when the models were able to replicate the clinical picture of osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) for the first time. After realizing that Bon3OID™ models offer versatile applications in both research and clinical settings, we decided to commercialize the technology. Numerous inquiries and discussions with researchers and clinicians in the field of bone research confirmed the great potential, prompting us to found CompagOs.
The founding team of CompagOs includes: Barna Gal, Chris Steffi, Robert Baumann, and Gian Nutal Schaedli.
3DN: Could you tell us a little more about the Bon3OID™ models and the technology used?
Our Bon3OID™ models are advanced 3D cell cultures that combine multiple cell types in a controllable system. We use human stem cells that are embedded in a specially developed bio-ink and printed in a grid structure using a 3D bioprinter. Within this system, the stem cells differentiate over time into osteoblasts and osteocytes, embedded in a mineralized bone matrix produced by the osteoblasts.
To further optimize this process, we rely on biomechanical stimulation—essentially a “fitness program” for our bone models that promotes their growth and maturation. To expand the Bon3OID™ models, we can specifically integrate additional cell types to replicate natural bone remodeling even more precisely. These include osteoclasts, which we generate by differentiating human monocytes within our system. This creates a highly relevant human bone model that realistically replicates both the cellular and structural properties of real bone. In addition, we can also integrate cancer cells and immune cells into the system to better understand complex disease processes and explore new therapeutic approaches.
The company’s Bon3OID™ in vitro bone model.
3DN: What challenges are involved in developing Bon3OID™ models?
The biggest challenge is standardizing the manufacturing process so that our models meet strict clinical quality standards. Standardizing biological systems is particularly challenging, especially in combination with 3D bioprinting technologies. In addition, scaling our system for a broad market requires precise optimizations to ensure consistently high quality and reproducibility.
3DN: What are your long-term goals?
Our goal is to develop a new diagnostic solution that can detect bone diseases six to twelve months earlier than current methods. While conventional methods are primarily based on imaging, we rely on the analysis of blood samples to identify bone-specific disease processes at an early stage. The key effect behind this is the spontaneous conversion of monocytes to osteoclasts within our system. This reaction varies from person to person and provides crucial insights into a patient’s bone status. As a first application, we are focusing on cancer patients in advanced stages (stages 3 and 4) who are at high risk of bone metastases (e.g., lung, breast, or prostate cancer).
Many patients at these stages already have bone metastases that cannot be detected with current diagnostic methods. Our Bon3OID™-DX diagnostic tool is designed to solve precisely this problem. In the long term, we plan to expand our technology to other bone diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Another important area of application for our Bon3OID™ models is research in academia and industry—both for scientists working in bone biology and for pharmaceutical and biotech companies developing new drugs for bone diseases.
CompagOs was founded in 2023 and is a spin-off of ETH Zurich.
3DN: What advantages do Bon3OID™ models offer, and what has been your most exciting project to date?
As a diagnostic tool (Bon3OID™-DX), our models enable the early detection of bone diseases before significant damage to the bone has occurred. This allows doctors to take targeted measures at an early stage and improve treatment outcomes for patients. For research and development, Bon3OID™ models offer a biologically relevant alternative to conventional 2D and animal models, which often have limited applicability to human bones.
Our most exciting project was the discovery that monocytes, after transforming into osteoclasts, produce specific fracture patterns in our Bon3OID™ models. We can precisely quantify and analyze these patterns using micro-CT. This breakthrough gave us the idea of using Bon3OID™ as a personalized platform for the early detection of bone diseases.
3DN: Do you have any final words for our readers?
Our goal is to reach the clinical market with Bon3OID™-DX by 2030. To this end, we are planning the following steps: clinical validation of Bon3OID™-DX on patient samples in collaboration with international hospitals, scaling up our technology (currently already underway as part of an Innosuisse project with CSEM), and expanding our laboratory infrastructure with a focus on standardized production of our Bon3OID™ models. To get in touch with us and learn more about our company, click HERE.
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*All Photo Credits: CompagOs