The Business of Biofabrication

InSphero AG, a global leader in 3D cell-based assay systems and organ-on-chip models, has acquired Doppl SA, a Swiss company known for its microstructured 3D cell-culture technology. The move solidifies InSphero’s position as a comprehensive provider of scalable, physiologically relevant in vitro solutions for drug discovery and translational research.

Why This Acquisition Makes Sense

Both InSphero and Doppl share a vision of replacing animal models with advanced, reproducible human cell systems. InSphero has built deep expertise in multi-cellular spheroids and organ-on-chip platforms, while Doppl’s core strength lies in microfabricated hydrogel scaffolds that enable precise control of tissue geometry and uniformity.

By integrating Doppl’s patented Gri3D® microwell technology, InSphero gains access to a robust, production-ready microtissue fabrication system that complements its existing pipeline of organotypic models for liver, pancreas, and tumor biology. The acquisition creates a vertically integrated ecosystem — from scaffold fabrication to assay-ready microtissues — enhancing scalability, reproducibility, and automation potential.

Doppl SA’s Competitive Edge

Doppl SA’s Gri3D® platform, originally developed from SUN Bioscience’s R&D portfolio, offers a standardized, high-throughput way to generate uniform spheroids and organoids. Unlike traditional hanging-drop or low-adhesion plate methods, Gri3D® uses a micropatterned hydrogel array that allows researchers to control spheroid size and shape across hundreds of wells simultaneously.

This precision has made Gri3D® a competitive technology in pharmaceutical screening and regenerative medicine, used by academic and industrial partners to produce consistent microtissues for long-term culture and drug-response assays. Its adoption has grown as researchers demand higher reproducibility and physiological relevance — areas where traditional 2D and suspension systems fall short.

Strategic Synergy

For InSphero, the acquisition means expanding its 3D toolbox beyond organotypic assays into structural tissue engineering. Doppl’s hardware and consumable systems can now be integrated with InSphero’s Assay Ready 3D InSight™ Microtissues and Akura™ Flow organ-on-chip systems, creating a unified suite for discovery through preclinical validation.

“This acquisition unites two pioneers in the 3D cell-culture space,” said a spokesperson for InSphero. “Together, we’re shaping the next generation of in vitro biology — standardized, scalable, and human-relevant.”

About InSphero

InSphero AG, headquartered in Schlieren, Switzerland, is a leader in 3D in vitro technologies for predictive drug discovery and safety testing. The company’s organotypic models, including 3D liver, pancreas, and oncology microtissues, are used globally by top pharmaceutical companies to improve preclinical decision-making. InSphero’s innovations have been supported by partnerships with AstraZeneca, Novartis, and NIH consortia aiming to reduce animal testing through more accurate human models.

Learn more: http://www.insphero.com

About Doppl SA

Doppl SA, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, specializes in microstructured hydrogel technologies that enable precise 3D cell assembly and culture. Its flagship product, Gri3D®, provides a platform for generating hundreds of uniform microtissues simultaneously. Doppl’s mission has been to empower researchers with reproducible, easy-to-scale 3D culture systems. Following this acquisition, Doppl SA will continue operations under its name as part of the InSphero Group.

Learn more: http://www.dopplsa.com

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