3DPERLAT: revolutionizing obesity research with a perfusable adipose tissue model

CELLHEAL AS, a Norwegian biomedical SME, is leading 3DPERLAT, a two-year project awarded €830,000 by Eureka Eurostars to develop a first-of-its-kind vascularised, perfusable human adipose tissue model integrated with a bioreactor system. 3DPERLAT aims to provide the first physiologically relevant platform for obesity research and drug screening, supporting the development and evaluation of potential obesity treatments.

Photo: Dr Gatenholm of CELLHEAL (left), Sophia Nowakowski (upper middle), Dr Anna Leikeim (lower middle), both from University of Stuttgart, and Dr Philipp Linke of ibidi bioprinting a LEAF-construct using the adipose-cell-laden 3DPERLAT hydrogel at the Stuttgart facility.

Launched in April 2026, the project brings together CELLHEAL with ibidi GmbH, Karolinska Institutet, the University of Stuttgart, and Ocean Tunicell as an R&D subcontractor. We heard from Paul Gatenholm, PhD, CEO of CELLHEAL, about what the funding enables for the company, how the consortium’s complementary expertise supports the project, and Catalyze’s role in preparing the successful proposal and the project’s implementation.

Addressing a critical gap in obesity research

Obesity affects more than one billion people worldwide, yet research into its underlying biology still relies heavily on animal models and 2D static in vitro cell culturing that do not reproduce the behaviour of human adipose tissue.

As project coordinator, CELLHEAL is applying its expertise in regenerative medicine and 3D bioprinting to address this gap. Through 3DPERLAT, the company and its partners will develop a vascularised, perfusable human adipose tissue model that more closely reflects the dynamic conditions found in the body and will enable researchers to study metabolism.

The project will combine 3D bioprinting, biomaterials, unique LEAF-inspired architecture and a dedicated perfusion bioreactor to recreate interactions between fat cells, blood vessels, and other cell types. This will enable longer-term metabolic studies and provide a more physiologically relevant platform for investigating obesity and evaluating potential therapies.

For CELLHEAL, the Eurostars funding provides the opportunity to advance the technology towards a validated product.

“This funding will enable us to develop a 3D perfusable living adipose tissue model that will have a great impact on obesity research,” says Gatenholm. “Together with our project partner ibidi, we plan to bring this system to market, creating a new source of income that can support the further expansion of CELLHEAL.”

From 3DPERLAT prototype to a new research and drug-screening platform

During the project, the consortium will develop and validate the 3DPERLAT system, combining CELLHEAL’s bioprinting approach with a dedicated perfusion bioreactor and biological validation.

Gatenholm explains what differentiates the consortium’s approach:

“The consortium is applying a top-down approach by isolating components from the patient´s own adipose tissue, combining them with tailor-made hydrogels, and forming a vascularized, perfusable LEAF-inspired construct. This contrasts with the approach taken by the majority of researchers, who use a bottom-up process to build adipose tissue from stem cell-derived adipose cells.”

The model will also be evaluated for drug responsiveness, helping assess its potential as a screening platform for obesity research and pharmaceutical development.

By the end of the project in 2028, the consortium aims to have a validated prototype and a clear route towards regulatory compliance and commercialisation. The longer-term goal is to introduce 3DPERLAT to the market as a high-throughput research and drug-screening platform for obesity research centres and pharmaceutical companies.

Bringing together complementary expertise

Developing a functional living tissue model requires expertise across biomaterials, bioprinting, perfusion technology, cell biology and drug testing.

“3DPERLAT has a tremendous team with complementary expertise,” says Gatenholm. “CELLHEAL develops biomaterials and devices together with Ocean Tunicell, while ibidi develops perfusion systems and bioreactors. The University of Stuttgart brings expertise in bioprinting and 3D culture of adipose tissue, and Karolinska Institutet contributes expertise in evaluating the functionality of adipose tissue models and using them for drug screening.”

This combination of expertise allows the consortium to address the full development pathway, from creating the tissue construct and perfusion system to validating its biological functionality and response to therapeutic compounds.

Working with Catalyze

Catalyze supported the consortium in developing the successful Eurostars proposal, with a particular focus on strengthening how the project’s expected impact was communicated.

“Catalyze provided expertise in describing the vision for the project’s impact. That was a critical part of securing the funding,” says Gatenholm. “Now that the funding has been secured, Catalyze is working with us to support project management and dissemination.”