Bringing 3D Printed Medical Devices from the Lab to Patients | May 23, 2023

Nicole Black, PhD

While a graduate student at Harvard, Nicole Black worked on interdisciplinary projects with the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and Mass Eye and Ear Hospital, developing biomimetic tympanic membrane (eardrum) grafts using novel materials and 3D printing technologies. After receiving her PhD in engineering sciences in 2020, she cofounded Beacon Bio, becoming its CEO. The start-up concentrated on developing regenerative tissue grafts through 3D printing of biodegradable materials. The first product in the pipeline was the PhonoGraft^TM , a device for tympanic membrane repair, which is currently under preclinical development.

Beacon Bio was sold in June 2021 to Desktop Metal for $10 million, and Nicole and her team transitioned to Desktop’s health division. Nicole, 30, currently leads its R&D team and is focused on forming partnerships with medical device companies to advance innovative 3D printed medical devices that benefit patients.

Learn how this young entrepreneur did it, and why Forbes named her last year to the list of Forbes 30 Under 30 in Manufacturing & Industry.

This presentation, from the Brigham Ignitable Ideas series, took place on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 via Zoom.