Thurles Information

Israel-US Biotech Restores Sight with World’s First 3D-Bio-Printed Human Cornea.

In a major medical breakthrough, Precise Bio has successfully implanted the world’s first fully 3D-bio-printed corneal implant into a human patient, restoring vision for a person who had been legally blind in one eye.

Precise Bio is a clinical-stage company developing 3D-bio-fabricated human tissues and organs. Its lead project, PB-001, is the world’s first bio-printed cornea to reach human trials. The company has operations in both Israel and the U.S.

The surgery, conducted on October 29th last, 2025 at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Israel, used PB-001, a lab-grown cornea made from human corneal. Unlike conventional grafts, which rely on donor tissue, PB-001 is printed using advanced robotics in a GMP-certified facility.

“This Israeli breakthrough is hugely promising,” says Professor Thomas Ritter, a leading ophthalmologist and scientist at the University of Galway, who heads the EU-funded RESTORE VISION consortium tackling rare eye diseases. “Across Europe, we face a critical shortage of donor corneas, and a technology that can produce bio-printed corneas at scale could be truly transformational. In Ireland in particular, demand for corneal transplants is growing, but we rely on imported donor tissue. If we can get to a point where lab-grown corneas are reliable and safe, it could redefine eye care and reduce the burden on transplant waiting lists.”

There is a global shortage of donor corneas. Precise Bio believes its technology could dramatically increase supply: one donated cornea might generate hundreds of implants. The implant is designed for long-term storage, it can be cryopreserved and shipped pre-loaded on surgical devices.

The ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial, (at Rambam, Haifa, Israel), aims to enrol 10-15 patients with corneal dysfunction. Six-month results are expected in the second half of 2026.

What the Experts Say.
Aryeh Batt, CEO of Precise Bio stated, “This is a turning point for regenerative ophthalmology — real hope for millions with corneal blindness. For the first time, a corneal implant grown entirely in the lab has been safely implanted in a patient.”
Professor Michael Mimouni, who led the surgery stated, “We have witnessed, for the first time, a cornea made from living human cells bring back sight. It was an unforgettable moment, a glimpse of a future where donor scarcity no longer condemns people to darkness.”
Dr. Anthony Atala, Co-Founder of Precise Bio stated, “PB-001 could become a standardised, scalable solution, safe, effective, and ready on demand. It may reshape how we think about transplants.”