ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research

What ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research does

ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research is an academic, non-profit research center within the University of Bern's Faculty of Medicine, established in 2008. It operates 13 interdisciplinary research groups that combine engineering sub-specialties (organs-on-chip, cardiovascular engineering, musculoskeletal biomechanics, computational bioengineering, neuro-robotics, gerontechnology, AI in medical imaging, AI in health and nutrition) with clinical focus areas, led jointly by technical and clinical group heads. Its core technology portfolio includes the first fully biological lung-on-chip without synthetic polymers, vascularized tumor-on-chip models, AI-driven medical imaging and urodynamic analysis, ultrasound-activated ureteral stent technology (SonoStent), and computational tools for cardiovascular and biomechanical applications.

The center's business model is institutional rather than commercial. Revenue-like inflows come from University of Bern base funding, competitive grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation and Innosuisse, contract research services offered through the Bern Biomedical Engineering Network (biomicrofabrication, 3D printing, biomechanical testing, scientific computation), and education programs (MAS and CAS in Translational Medicine, Biomedical Entrepreneurship, and AI in Digital Medicine) delivered through the sitem-insel School. Commercial value is captured primarily through a spin-off pipeline operated jointly with the Unitectra technology transfer office; 18+ companies have been created, including AlveoliX, CAScination, RetinAI/Ikerian, SurgeonsLab, CASCINATION, Optimo Medical, SonoStent, and Vitronco AG, several of which market CE/FDA-approved products. Customers include Inselspital Bern University Hospital as the dominant clinical translation partner, unnamed pharmaceutical and biotech firms using organ-on-chip services, and graduate students enrolled in the educational programs.

Name

ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research

Legal name

ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research

Website

https://artorg.unibe.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ARTORG Center is a non-profit biomedical engineering research unit at the University of Bern, operating 13 interdisciplinary groups that develop organs-on-chip, AI medical imaging, cardiovascular, and urogenital technologies and spin out commercial ventures via Inselspital and Unitectra.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biomedical Engineering Research

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Academic Medical Centers & Teaching Hospitals (University-Affiliated) (EDAHAGAA), Public Research Universities with Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) (EDAHAAAC), Clinical Trial Informatics (EDC/CTMS/eCOA/eTMF) (HLAGAJAM)

Keywords

• Biomedical engineering research
• Organ-on-chip platforms
• Medical device development
• Translational medicine programs
• Biomicrofabrication services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Research Funding: Financial support from public funding agencies including governmental and non-governmental institutions, Swiss National Science Foundation, and Innosuisse R&D matching funds.
2. Technology Transfer and Licensing: Transfer of medical technologies test-bedded in applied clinical research into healthcare practice through partnership with Unitectra and spin-off commercialization.
3. Research Services: Services offered to the research community including biomicrofabrication, clinical research databases, 3D printing, mechanical production, biomechanics, and scientific computation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The ARTORG Center conducts transdisciplinary biomedical engineering research across 13 research units embedded within the University of Bern's Faculty of Medicine, focused on translating engineering innovations into clinical practice through Inselspital and other partners. Its offerings include proprietary organ-on-chip platforms (lung-on-chip, vascularized tumor-on-chip), biomedical devices (SonoStent, URODEA), AI-driven diagnostic systems (urodynamic, retinal, lung imaging), shared laboratory services (3D printing, biomechanical testing, biomicrofabrication, electronics, scientific computation), and continuing education programs (MAS/CAS in Translational Medicine, Biomedical Entrepreneurship, and AI in Digital Medicine). The center also drives technology transfer and spin-off creation (18+ companies) to commercialize its research.

Product overview

ARTORG Center operates as a transdisciplinary research center within the University of Bern's Faculty of Medicine, offering a diverse portfolio of biomedical engineering services and products. The center provides specialized laboratory services including 3D Printing, Biomechanical Testing, Clinical Research Database, Electronics Lab, Mechanical Production, Organs-on-Chip Facility, Scientific Computation, and Technology Transfer. Core research products include Lung-on-Chip technology (first fully biological lung-on-chip without synthetic polymers), Vascularized Tumor-on-Chip Models, SonoStent (ultrasound-activated ureteral stent), and URODEA (non-invasive urinary retention solution). Educational offerings include MAS and CAS programs in Translational Medicine, Biomedical Entrepreneurship, and AI in Digital Medicine through the sitem-insel School. The center has produced multiple successful spin-offs including AlveoliX, CAScination, RetinAI, and Vitronco.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Organs-on-Chip Facility (biomicrofabrication service) Biomicrofabrication facility supporting the development of microfluidic organ models (lung-on-chip, tumor-on-chip, vascularized tissue models) for drug testing and disease research, offered to the biomedical engineering network.
• 3D Printing Service Rapid prototyping 3D printing facility offering additive manufacturing capabilities for biomedical research and medical device development.
• Biomechanical Testing Service Biomechanics testing expertise covering cell, tissue, and muscle response, supporting research at the intersection of medicine, engineering, and microbiology.
• Clinical Research Database Service Database services for clinical research data management and analysis.
• Electronics Lab Service Electronics laboratory facilities for developing medical devices and sensors.
• Mechanical Production Service Mechanical workshop for prototyping and producing medical device components.
• Scientific Computation Service High-performance computing and computational modeling services for biomedical engineering research.
• Technology Transfer Service (via Unitectra) Technology transfer support, in partnership with Unitectra, including mentorship for spin-off creation, licensing, and commercial partnerships.
• Lung-on-Chip Technology Advanced breathing lung-on-chip with life-size alveoli in a stretchable biological membrane of collagen and elastin — the first fully biological lung-on-chip without synthetic polymers — used for drug testing and disease modeling and commercialized through the AlveoliX AG spin-off.
• Vascularized Tumor-on-Chip Models Microfluidic tumor microenvironment models integrating perfusable microvascular networks with patient-derived cancer cells for studying tumor progression, metastasis, and drug response; commercialized via Vitronco AG spin-off (founded 2026).
• SonoStent (ultrasound-activated ureteral stent) Non-invasively cleanable ureteral stent using ultrasound-activated cilia technology to prevent crystal encrustation and bacterial biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices, commercialized via the SonoStent spin-off.
• URODEA (non-invasive urinary retention solution) First non-invasive solution against urinary retention developed by the Urogenital Engineering group and commercialized via URODEA AG.
• AI-Driven Urodynamics Analysis Artificial intelligence system for improving diagnosis of lower urinary tract dysfunction using advanced analysis of urodynamic measurements.
• MAS in Translational Medicine and Biomedical Entrepreneurship Two-year part-time Master of Advanced Studies program for startup founders and early-stage innovators in life sciences, biotech, medtech, and healthcare, covering translational medicine, R&D, intellectual property, clinical trial design, regulatory affairs, and venture creation, delivered through the sitem-insel School.
• CAS in Translational Medicine Certificate of Advanced Studies program providing skills to transform biomedical research into clinically and commercially viable healthcare solutions.
• CAS in Biomedical Entrepreneurship Certificate of Advanced Studies empowering professionals to transform innovative ideas into market-ready ventures in life sciences, healthcare, pharma, biotech, and medtech.
• CAS in Artificial Intelligence in Digital Medicine Hands-on introduction to Artificial Intelligence in medical imaging and clinical applications, designed for professionals without technical backgrounds.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18+ spin-off companies with CE/FDA-approved medical products deployed in hospitals worldwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, regional and international.

• UnitectracoreTechnology or IntegrationUniversity of Bern's technology transfer office that partners with ARTORG to transfer medical technologies test-bedded in applied clinical research into healthcare daily practice.
• Inselspital Bern University HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARTORG's most important clinical partner and Switzerland's largest tertiary medical center. Strong multidisciplinary research and translation with shared resources enabling clinical introduction from pilot work to full clinical trials.
• Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in the Bern Biomedical Engineering Network (BBME) for complementary and collaborative biomedical engineering work.
• sitem-insel (Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for promoting researchers and training specialists in translational medicine and biomedical entrepreneurship. ARTORG collaborates on entrepreneurial teaching programs.
• Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research partner providing collaboration in electronics and microtechnology for biomedical applications.
• ETH Zurich and EPFLmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Institutes of Technology providing collaboration and expertise in engineering and technology development.
• Switzerland Innovation Park BielregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation park partner supporting translational research and innovation activities in the Swiss medtech ecosystem.
• AlveoliX AGcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerARTORG spin-off commercializing breathing lung-on-chip technology. Founded in 2015, AlveoliX offers pharmaceutical companies advanced in vitro platforms for respiratory disease modeling, drug efficacy testing, and inhalation toxicology studies.
• Charité BerlininternationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kübler at Charité Universität Medizin for organ-on-chip research.
• Stanford School of MedicineinternationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Dr. med. Vinicio de Jesus Perez at Stanford for respiratory and organ-on-chip research.
• Rutgers UniversityinternationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Dr. François Berthiaume at Rutgers School of Engineering for biomedical engineering research.
• Vitronco AGcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerARTORG spin-off founded in 2026, offering vascularized tumor-on-chip services for oncology drug development as a contract research organization.
• Bern Biomedical Engineering Network (BBME)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal network uniting ARTORG, Inselspital, BFH, Innocampus AG and Bern medtech industry for targeted exchange of researchers, clinicians, resources, technologies and facilities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CN Bio Innovations: Organ-on-chip commercial company with Liver-on-Chip and related platforms; competes in the same pharma-services market that AlveoliX and Vitronco address.
• Emulate Inc. Commercial organ-on-chip competitor whose Lung-on-Chip and other platforms directly compete with ARTORG/AlveoliX technology in pharma preclinical testing.
• Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design: University-based biomedical engineering center with clinical translation focus and spin-off/venture creation; comparable in mission to translate BME research into clinical products.
• MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research: MIT-engineering-meets-medicine institute focused on cancer, with strong industry translation pathways; comparable model of interdisciplinary engineering groups addressing clinical problems.
• Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering: Harvard-affiliated translational bioengineering research institute with a similar spin-off-focused model and strong clinical translation mandate; comparable in mandate, structure (university-embedded center of excellence), and breadth of biomedical engineering domains.

Emerging players

• Mimetas: Organ-on-chip company with OrganoPlate platform serving similar pharma/biotech customers in preclinical drug discovery; a relevant emerging peer in the same OoC category.
• TissUse GmbH: Multi-organ-chip commercial player with HUMIMIC platform; competes for the same organ-on-chip drug-testing and toxicology engagements.

Broad incumbents

• ETH Zurich Department of Health Sciences and Technology: Larger Swiss engineering/medicine interface institution with broader scope; competes for the same Swiss National Science Foundation funding and biomedical engineering talent pool.
• EPFL School of Engineering (STI): Swiss federal institute with extensive biomedical engineering and microtechnology research; a broader incumbent in the same Swiss BME ecosystem and a listed collaboration partner.

Regional players

• Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin: Large European academic medical center with active organ-on-chip collaboration (Kübler lab); a relevant regional peer with similar hospital-embedded BME/translational research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/artorg-center-for-biomedical-engineering-research
• Instagraminstagram.com/bme_aim_unibe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research