The Business of Biofabrication

Prellis Biologics has entered into a multi-target drug discovery and development collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company. The agreement combines Prellis’ organoid-based antibody discovery technology with Lilly’s research and commercialization capabilities to develop next-generation human antibody therapeutics. Financial terms were not disclosed, though Prellis stated it will receive an upfront payment, potential development and sales milestones, and royalties on licensed antibodies.

Technology and Approach

Prellis’ platform integrates its Externalized Immune System (EXIS™) with a generative AI engine, AntiGen AI. The EXIS™ system uses fully human lymph node organoids to replicate immune responses in vitro, producing diverse, high-affinity antibodies in approximately three to four weeks. AntiGen AI then refines and optimizes these antibodies for therapeutic use.

According to the company, this combination addresses a common limitation in AI-based drug development: the need for large volumes of high-quality, human-specific data. The process is designed to accelerate antibody discovery while maintaining a fully human biological context.

Strategic Context

Under the collaboration, Prellis and Lilly will jointly identify and develop human antibody therapeutics for multiple disease targets. Lilly brings expertise in clinical development and global commercialization, while Prellis provides the organoid and AI platforms for discovery.

This agreement reflects a wider trend in the biopharmaceutical industry toward integrating biofabrication techniques with artificial intelligence to reduce development timelines and improve candidate quality.

About Prellis Biologics

Prellis Biologics, based in Berkeley, California, develops animal-free human immune system models for therapeutic discovery and disease research. Its holographic 3D printing technology enables high-resolution replication of human tissue structures, supporting applications in antibody discovery and in vitro disease modeling.

The collaboration with Lilly positions Prellis to expand its technology into commercial therapeutic development while providing Lilly with access to a platform intended to speed the creation of fully human antibody candidates.

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