BICO Group

BICO Group, previously known as Cellink, is a Swedish bioconvergence company focused on technologies and services that help researchers work with living cells, biological materials, and laboratory processes. Its origins are in bioprinting: the company developed standardized bio-inks and bioprinters intended to make three-dimensional cell culture and tissue fabrication more accessible to academic laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. Before Cellink's products became available, researchers commonly prepared their own biomaterials for bioprinting, which could make experiments difficult to reproduce across laboratories. Cellink's commercially packaged, broadly compatible bio-ink was designed to address that problem. The company was founded in 2016 by Erik Gatenholm, Héctor Martinez, and Gusten Danielsson. Its technology was connected to work at Chalmers University and used materials including cellulose and alginate. The company had already released an initial bioprinter to test market demand and subsequently expanded its portfolio with bio-inks intended for different cell types and research applications. Its early products were aimed at enabling the fabrication and culture of biological structures such as skin, liver, cornea, and cartilage models. The platform also supported the creation of laboratory tumor models, including printed cancer tissues used in research into disease biology and potential treatments. Cellink moved rapidly from start-up to public company. It listed on Nasdaq's First North market approximately ten months after its foundation, with the initial offering reported as heavily oversubscribed. In 2017, it established a United States headquarters in Boston, strengthening its access to the country's biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and academic research communities. By early 2019, its products were reported to be used by more than 600 laboratories in over 50 countries. The company also developed collaborations involving organizations such as AstraZeneca, MedImmune, MIT, and Takara Bio, while its bioprinters were reported to have been used by research groups associated with Harvard University, Merck, Novartis, the United States Army, Toyota, and Johnson & Johnson. BICO broadened its scope during 2019 and 2020 through acquisitions. Cytena added biotechnology instrumentation, while Scienion and its subsidiary Cellenion brought precision dispensing capabilities. The company described this shift as a move from a primarily bioprinting-focused business toward bioconvergence, combining biology with automation, precision instrumentation, advanced manufacturing, and software-enabled laboratory workflows. Additional acquisitions included Nanoscribe, a specialist in three-dimensional microfabrication, and Visikol, a contract research company. In late 2021, BICO acquired Biosero, a company involved in laboratory automation and orchestration. In August 2021, the corporate group adopted the BICO name, while Cellink remained the name of its bioprinting business. This structure reflected the group's wider portfolio, which was no longer limited to printers and bio-inks. BICO's stated application areas include three-dimensional cell culture, high-throughput drug screening, tissue and organ modeling, and research relevant to medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic development. Leadership changed in August 2023 when co-founder Erik Gatenholm stepped down as chief executive officer and Maria Forss was appointed to succeed him. BICO therefore entered its later phase as a diversified life-science technology group rather than only a specialist bioprinting manufacturer. Its brand proposition centers on enabling more reproducible, automated, and biologically relevant research through integrated tools, consumables, instruments, and services. The available reference material does not establish a complete current product portfolio, financial profile, ownership structure, or detailed headquarters address.

BICO Group originated as Cellink, a Swedish biotechnology start-up founded in 2016 by Erik Gatenholm, Héctor Martinez, and Gusten Danielsson. The founders sought to make bioprinting more practical for academic and pharmaceutical researchers. At the time, laboratories often formulated their own biomaterials for printing cells and tissues. Cellink developed a standardized bio-ink intended to work with a broad range of cells and to be purchased as a ready-made research material. This approach addressed reproducibility and convenience problems in early bioprinting workflows. The company had released an initial bioprinter to test market demand before its formal foundation and continued developing additional bio-inks for more specialized applications. Its materials used cellulose and alginate, with the technology associated with research at Chalmers University. Cellink's printers and inks were designed for three-dimensional cell culture and tissue modeling rather than immediate routine production of transplantable human organs. Research applications described for the technology included printed models of skin, liver, cornea, cartilage, and cancerous tissue. Printed tumor models could support investigation of cancer biology and the evaluation of possible treatments. Cellink became publicly listed on Nasdaq First North roughly ten months after its creation. The initial share offering was reported to have been heavily oversubscribed, helping establish the young company as a visible public biotechnology venture. In 2017, it opened a United States headquarters in Boston. This gave the company a presence in a major life-science center and supported relationships with North American pharmaceutical companies, universities, and research institutions. By February 2019, the company reported or was reported to have products in more than 600 laboratories across more than 50 countries. Partnerships helped extend the relevance of Cellink's technology beyond the sale of printers and consumables. The reference material identifies collaborations involving AstraZeneca, MedImmune, MIT, and Takara Bio. It also describes use of the company's bioprinters in research connected with Harvard University, Merck, Novartis, the United States Army, Toyota, and Johnson & Johnson. In 2018, Cellink announced a collaboration with Ctibiotech focused on cancer-related three-dimensional bioprinting. The company also received European Union funding for the TumorPrint project, which was directed toward tumor-model research. From 2019 onward, the group pursued an acquisition-led expansion. Cytena, a German biotechnology company, was acquired in 2019 and brought additional single-cell and biotechnology instrumentation capabilities into the group. In 2020, the group acquired Scienion and its subsidiary Cellenion, adding precision dispensing technologies. These transactions accompanied a strategic shift from a focused bioprinting company to a broader life-science technology group. The emerging portfolio addressed three-dimensional cell culture, high-throughput drug screening, tissue and organ modeling, and laboratory processes used in medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic research. In May 2021, BICO acquired Nanoscribe, a German company specializing in three-dimensional microfabrication, and Visikol, a United States contract research business. Later that year it acquired Biosero, a San Diego life-science automation company. These additions reinforced the group's stated bioconvergence model: combining biological research with precision manufacturing, instrumentation, automation, and services. The corporate transformation became public in August 2021, when Cellink changed its group name to BICO. Cellink continued as the operating brand for the bioprinting business, while BICO represented the larger collection of life-science companies. The change distinguished the group's original product category from its expanded corporate scope. A further leadership transition occurred in August 2023. Co-founder Erik Gatenholm left the chief executive role and Maria Forss was appointed chief executive officer. The transition marked another stage in BICO's development from a founder-led bioprinting venture into a diversified bioconvergence group. The available reference material does not provide a complete account of subsequent corporate performance, current ownership, current listing details, or the full present-day structure of its operating companies.

1. 2023Maria Forss appointed CEO

   Maria Forss succeeded co-founder Erik Gatenholm as chief executive officer.

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2. 2021Nanoscribe and Visikol acquired

   BICO acquired Nanoscribe and Visikol, adding microfabrication and contract research capabilities.

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3. 2021Biosero acquired

   BICO acquired Biosero to expand its laboratory automation and workflow orchestration portfolio.

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4. 2021Corporate name changed to BICO

   The former Cellink group adopted the BICO name, while Cellink remained the bioprinting business name.

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5. 2020Scienion and Cellenion acquired

   The acquisition of Scienion and its subsidiary Cellenion expanded the group into precision dispensing.

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6. 2019Cytena acquired

   The group acquired German biotechnology company Cytena.

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7. 2018Ctibiotech collaboration announced

   The company began a collaboration with Ctibiotech to advance three-dimensional bioprinting for cancer research.

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8. 2018TumorPrint receives European Union grant

   Cellink received European Union support for the TumorPrint project involving printed tumor models.

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9. 2017United States headquarters established

   Cellink established a United States headquarters in Boston.

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10. 2016Cellink founded

    Erik Gatenholm, Héctor Martinez, and Gusten Danielsson founded Cellink to commercialize standardized bio-inks and bioprinting equipment.

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11. 2016Public listing

    Cellink listed on Nasdaq First North approximately ten months after its foundation.

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12. 2015Initial bioprinter released

    An initial bioprinter was released to test market demand before the formal foundation of Cellink.

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BICO positions itself as a bioconvergence company that combines biology, bioprinting, laboratory automation, precision dispensing, microfabrication, and research services. Its historical differentiation came from standardized, commercially available bio-inks and accessible bioprinting equipment; its broader positioning emphasizes integrated technologies for more reproducible cell culture, drug discovery, tissue modeling, and automated life-science workflows.

• Cellink bio-inksBioprinting consumables2016

  Cellink bio-inks are biomaterial formulations developed for three-dimensional printing and culture of living cells. The company's early proposition was to provide standardized, broadly compatible materials that researchers could purchase rather than formulate independently. Different formulations were developed to support specialized cell types and experimental applications. The materials have been associated with tissue models involving skin, liver, cornea, cartilage, and tumors.

• Cellink bioprintersBioprinting equipment2015

  Cellink bioprinters are laboratory instruments designed to deposit bio-inks and cell-containing materials in controlled three-dimensional patterns. They support research into cell culture, tissue modeling, disease models, and bioprinting methods. The printers were developed as part of Cellink's original effort to make bioprinting more accessible to academic and pharmaceutical laboratories, and the Cellink name continued as the group's bioprinting business after the corporate rebrand to BICO.

• Scienion and Cellenion precision dispensing systemsLife-science instrumentation2020

  Scienion and Cellenion contribute precision dispensing technologies to BICO's life-science instrumentation portfolio. These systems extend the group beyond conventional bioprinting by supporting controlled handling and placement of biological or chemical materials in research workflows. Their role is consistent with BICO's wider bioconvergence strategy, which combines specialized instruments with biological experimentation and laboratory automation.

• Nanoscribe microfabrication systemsThree-dimensional microfabrication2021

  Nanoscribe microfabrication systems provide high-precision three-dimensional fabrication capabilities. Within BICO's portfolio, they broaden the group's technology base toward microscale manufacturing and engineered structures relevant to research and advanced biotechnology. The acquisition connected BICO's biological applications with precision fabrication methods.

• Visikol servicesContract research services2021

  Visikol added United States-based contract research capabilities to BICO. Its inclusion in the group supports the use of advanced imaging, tissue analysis, and related research services in life-science programs. The acquisition complemented BICO's instrument and consumables businesses by adding service-based expertise for biological and pharmaceutical research.

• Biosero laboratory automationLaboratory automation2021

  Biosero contributes laboratory automation and workflow orchestration technology. Its role in BICO's portfolio is to connect instruments, software, and experimental processes so that research workflows can be run with greater automation and repeatability. The acquisition strengthened BICO's move toward integrated bioconvergence solutions rather than standalone bioprinting products.

• 2018TumorPrint

  Europe · Cancer research

  TumorPrint was a European Union-supported research initiative focused on using bioprinting to create tumor models for cancer research.

  Outcome. The available reference material confirms the grant and project focus but does not establish a final commercial or clinical outcome.

  Source
• 2018Ctibiotech cancer-research collaboration

  Cancer research · Bioprinting

  Cellink and Ctibiotech announced a collaboration intended to advance three-dimensional bioprinting technologies for cancer research.

  Outcome. The available reference material does not specify the collaboration's final results.

  Source

• 2023Chief executive successionOther

  BICO was operating as a diversified bioconvergence group after several acquisitions and a corporate rebrand.

  What changed. Co-founder Erik Gatenholm stepped down as chief executive officer and Maria Forss was appointed to the position.

  Aftermath. The change marked a transition from the company's original founder-led phase to a new leadership period.

  Source
• 2021Acquisitions of Nanoscribe and VisikolM&A

  BICO was pursuing a bioconvergence strategy combining biological research with precision manufacturing and services.

  What changed. BICO acquired Nanoscribe and Visikol.

  Aftermath. Nanoscribe added three-dimensional microfabrication, while Visikol added contract research capabilities.

  Source
• 2021Acquisition of BioseroM&A

  BICO aimed to add laboratory automation and workflow management to its expanding life-science technology platform.

  What changed. The group acquired San Diego-based life-science automation company Biosero.

  Aftermath. The acquisition strengthened BICO's laboratory automation and orchestration offering.

  Purchase price. USD 165 million (December 2021 acquisition)

  Source
• 2021Corporate rebrand from Cellink to BICOStrategy

  The group had expanded from bio-inks and bioprinters into automation, precision dispensing, microfabrication, and research services.

  What changed. The corporate group adopted the BICO name while retaining Cellink for the bioprinting business.

  Aftermath. The new structure separated the broader corporate identity from the original bioprinting brand.

  Source
• 2020Acquisition of Scienion and CellenionM&A

  BICO sought to broaden its technology base beyond bioprinting and enter adjacent laboratory instrumentation categories.

  What changed. The group acquired Scienion and its subsidiary Cellenion.

  Aftermath. The transaction added precision dispensing capabilities to BICO's life-science portfolio.

  Purchase price. USD 94.8 million (2020 acquisition)

  Source
• 2019Acquisition of CytenaM&A

  BICO was expanding from a focused bioprinting company into a broader life-science technology group.

  What changed. The group acquired German biotechnology company Cytena.

  Aftermath. The acquisition added biotechnology instrumentation capabilities to the group's portfolio.

  Purchase price. USD 33.8 million (2019 acquisition)

  Source

• 2023Maria Forss appointed chief executive officer

  Maria Forss became chief executive officer after co-founder Erik Gatenholm stepped down from the role.

  Leadership change
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• 2021Cellink adopts the BICO Group identity

  The corporate group changed its name from Cellink to BICO while retaining Cellink as the name of its bioprinting business.

  Other
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• 2021BICO acquires Nanoscribe and Visikol

  BICO expanded into three-dimensional microfabrication through Nanoscribe and added contract research capabilities through Visikol.

  M&A
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• 2021BICO acquires Biosero

  The acquisition of San Diego-based Biosero added laboratory automation and workflow orchestration capabilities to the group.

  M&A
  Source
• 2020BICO acquires Scienion and Cellenion

  The acquisition of precision dispensing company Scienion and its subsidiary Cellenion expanded BICO's laboratory instrumentation portfolio.

  M&A
  Source
• 2019BICO acquires Cytena

  The group acquired German biotechnology company Cytena, broadening its capabilities beyond core bioprinting.

  M&A
  Source
• 2018Cellink collaborates with Ctibiotech on cancer research

  Cellink announced a collaboration with Ctibiotech intended to advance three-dimensional bioprinting applications for cancer research.

  Other
  Source
• 2018Cellink receives European Union support for TumorPrint

  The company received a European Union grant for the TumorPrint project, supporting work on printed tumor models.

  Other
  Source
• 2017Cellink establishes a United States headquarters in Boston

  The company expanded its North American presence by establishing a United States headquarters in Boston.

  Other
  Source
• 2016Cellink founded as a bioprinting company

  Erik Gatenholm, Héctor Martinez, and Gusten Danielsson founded Cellink to commercialize standardized bio-inks and bioprinting technologies for research laboratories.

  Other
  Source
• 2016Cellink lists publicly on Nasdaq First North

  The company entered the public market approximately ten months after its foundation. The offering was reported to have been substantially oversubscribed.

  Other
  Source

1. BICO Group