TissueTinker
Category: AI in Biotech / Drug Discovery
Develops and offers a platform of 3D bioprinted tumor tissue models to accelerate cancer drug discovery and develop therapeutics, with a particular focus on rare and underserved cancers. TissueTinker was founded in 2023. The company is led by Benjamin Ringler. Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Team size: 3. Total funding raised: Undisclosed grant and prize funding.. Latest round: Pre-seed / Grant Funding. Key investors include McGill Innovation Fund, Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship, The Engine (McGill).
- Founded
- 2023
- Headquarters
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Team size
- 3
- Total funding
- Undisclosed grant and prize funding.
Value proposition
To provide highly customizable and accurate tumor models for preclinical drug testing by replicating the specific microenvironments of rare cancers using proprietary 4D bioinks, aiming to reduce drug development timelines and costs.
Products and solutions
Customizable 3D bioprinted tumor models, Preclinical drug screening services
Unique value
Focuses on developing models for rare and underserved cancers, which have limited and often inaccurate research models available.
Target customer
Pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and academic research laboratories engaged in oncology.
Industries served
Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Oncology Research
Technology advantage
Proprietary 4D bioinks (engineered tissue gels with living human cells) that enable the precise replication of the chemical and physical properties of solid tumors, improving predictive accuracy.
How they differentiate
Differentiates by specializing in high-fidelity, customizable models for specific rare cancers (e.g., esophageal, prostate), rather than providing general-purpose preclinical models.
Main competitors
CELLINK, Carcinotech, Organovo, Inventia Life Science
Key partnerships
McGill University (Engine, Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship, McGill Innovation Fund), Research laboratories within the McGill network
Major milestones
Spun-off from research conducted at McGill University. Recipient of a Develop award from the McGill Innovation Fund (MIF). Winner of the McGill Dobson Cup 2024 (Health Sciences Track). Participant in The Engine's summer startup accelerator program.
Growth metrics
Actively expanding its library of tumor models and seeking research collaborations.
Market positioning
A niche, early-stage venture focused on creating personalized, high-fidelity cancer therapy models.
Geographic focus
Canada and North America
Patents and IP
Proprietary bioink technology; no public patents found.
About Benjamin Ringler
Benjamin Ringler is the CEO and co-founder of TissueTinker. He has a background in Chemical Engineering (B.Eng.) and Translational Biomedical Engineering (M.Sc.A.) from McGill University. His experience in several medical device startups during his undergraduate studies provided him with a strong foundation for his entrepreneurial journey with TissueTinker.
Official website: https://www.tissuetinker.com