Welcome to a new edition of Spoonful of Technology, where we dive into the latest pharma and healthcare technologies, exploring how they’re solving key challenges in the industry
Words by Isabel O’Brien
Scientists crack the code for keeping lab‑grown tissue alive
Challenge:
Thicker lab-grown tissues typically fail due to poor nutrient delivery. This is because without a vascular network, cells beyond the outer layers die, limiting their use in regenerative medicine and even drug testing.
Solution:
In early April 2025, US-based FluidForm Bio unveiled findings from its FRESH™ 3D-printing platform, using dissolvable gelatin microparticles to create tissue scaffolds with built-in micro-channels. These mimic blood vessels and allow cells to survive at depths five times greater than previously possible, a huge potential win for drug developers.
Next steps:
The platform has already shown promise in 3D‑printed heart tissue for use in R&D. The next frontier includes implantable treatments such as pancreatic tissue for insulin production, paving the way for functional, bioengineered organs.
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New tool supercharges lipid nanoparticle analysis
Challenge:
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the backbone of mRNA vaccines and gene therapies, but analysing their drug payload has traditionally taken up to two hours per sample, which can slow down drug development.
Solution:
In mid-April 2025, Dublin-based Marama Labs launched CloudSpec, a benchtop tool powered by its Scatter‑Free Absorption technology. CloudSpec is able to quantify intact LNP drug payloads in just 15 seconds without dyes or particle destruction. It’s been designed to slot into nanomedicine R&D, offering real-time insights for formulation optimisation.
Next steps:
Early adopters across pharma and biotech have begun integrating CloudSpec into their workflows. With time-to-market pressures mounting, this tool may become a key tool in creating the next generation of nanoparticle‑based therapies.
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Survey takes patient pulse on AI in healthcare
Challenge:
Despite its growing presence in healthcare, artificial intelligence remains a divisive topic among patients, especially when it comes to diagnosis and treatment planning.
Solution:
In mid-June 2025, US health tech company ModMed released a nationwide survey of 2,000 adults who had visited a doctor in the past year. It found that while 57% were comfortable with AI‑powered ambient listening tools that allow doctors to spend more time focusing on them, 55% were still uneasy about AI playing a role in diagnosing disease. The survey also notes that 81% want to be informed when AI is involved in their care, which isn’t always the case.
Next steps:
With regulatory frameworks evolving, the healthcare industry must ensure that AI is implemented transparently. According to ModMed, open communication about how and when AI is used could help bridge the trust gap and unlock its full potential in clinical care.
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