We have all been affected by cancer, whether personally or through loved ones.
In this exclusive interview with co-founder Madison Santos, learn how TissueTinker is revolutionizing cancer treatment using bioprinted tumour tissue models.
What is TissueTinker?
At TissueTinker, we鈥檙e on a mission to improve the odds of new cancer treatments. Right now, a staggering 97% of new cancer therapies never make it to market, costing an estimated 60 billion CAD every year. The problem? Traditional preclinical testing methods, like animal models and 2D cell cultures, just don鈥檛 do a great job of predicting how treatments will work in real patients.
That鈥檚 where we come in. We鈥檝e developed a humanized tumour modelling platform that uses 3D bioprinting to create living tumour models outside the body. This means researchers get more reliable, real-world data before moving to clinical trials. Ultimately, our goal is simple: to build a powerful library of solid tumour models that help bring next-generation cancer treatments to doctors and patients faster, more efficiently, and at a lower cost.
What motivated you to start TissueTinker?
The idea for TissueTinker started right here at 9I制作厂免费 during the bioengineering capstone project that my co-founder, Isabelle Dummer, and I worked on together. For us, it was personal; we wanted to use our skills to make a real difference in advancing research on solid cancers, knowing how deeply these diseases impact the lives of our friends and family.
What excited us most about the technology was its ability to offer a much deeper understanding of the tumour microenvironment, which could have a big impact on drug development. While the commercial potential of our work was first recognized when we won the Engine Capstone Design Prizes for Entrepreneurship, the real turning point came with the announcement of the FDA Modernization Act 2.0. For the first time, non-animal platforms like ours were being acknowledged as the future of drug development.
That recognition was a game changer; it lit a fire under us. Since then, we鈥檝e been working tirelessly to bring this vision to life, and we鈥檙e more determined than ever to make it happen.
Could you explain TissueTinker鈥檚 technology and which type of cancer you believe will benefit the most from it?
At TissueTinker, we鈥檙e developing cutting-edge 3D bioprinted tumour tissue models to help speed up the discovery of new cancer treatments. At the core of our technology are engineered tissue gels, what we call our proprietary 4D bioinks. These bioinks are packed with living human cells and printed using a 3D bioprinter, allowing us to precisely control the structure of each model. This level of customization means we can replicate the unique chemical and physical properties of different solid tumours, creating a powerful library of models to help answer key research questions.
One of the biggest challenges in cancer drug development is the lack of accurate preclinical models. We specialize in solid tumours, but our technology is especially promising for cancers that are difficult to study, such as rare and underserved types like esophageal cancer, as well as those that primarily affect older populations, like prostate cancer. By improving how these cancers are modelled, we鈥檙e paving the way for more effective, targeted treatments.
What are some challenges you have encountered while launching your startup, and how did you overcome them?
Launching TissueTinker came with its fair share of challenges, from securing funding to navigating a competitive and highly regulated industry. One of the biggest hurdles was proving that our 3D bioprinted tumour models had real commercial potential, especially to stakeholders outside of academia. When you鈥檙e deeply familiar with the technology, it鈥檚 easy to forget that not everyone understands the problem you鈥檙e solving.
To bridge that gap, I sought mentorship from industry leaders, refined our value proposition through accelerator programs, and focused on customer discovery to ensure our solution truly met market needs. Of course, this is an ongoing process as we continue working to build trust and drive adoption in a rapidly evolving industry.
What are the next major goals for your startup, and how do you plan to achieve them?
We鈥檙e excited to share that we鈥檝e officially started development in our own company lab space at the Clinical Innovation Platform! This marks a major milestone for us as we launch a retroactive clinical trial, an entirely new validation category for platforms like ours.
Our goal is to put our tumour models to the test by comparing them against previous clinical results through a retroactive, blinded study. By proving we can replicate clinical data within our system, we鈥檙e moving away from guesswork and toward truly reproducible successes, bringing more confidence and reliability to the future of cancer drug development.
Beyond the lab, we鈥檙e thrilled to be part of the Dobson International Fundraising Tour, expanding our global network and connecting with key industry players. On a personal note, I鈥檓 especially excited to head to the UK to represent TissueTinker at Cambridge鈥檚 Women in Biotech Conference. It鈥檚 an incredible opportunity to engage with inspiring leaders and showcase our work on an international stage!
How did the Dobson Centre play a role in TissueTinker?
Our team always says that the Dobson Centre has been one of our biggest champions from day one. Their programs, like the 9I制作厂免费 Dobson Bootcamp & Cup, have shaped TissueTinker into what it is today, constantly pushing us to grow and improve. But beyond the incredible programs, what truly sets Dobson apart is its team鈥攖he people who are genuinely invested in your success and go above and beyond to support founders.
In honour of International Women鈥檚 Week, I want to give a huge thank you to the incredible women at the Dobson Centre for everything they鈥檝e done and continue to do, to support TissueTinker. Your dedication makes all the difference!
