Liver disease constitutes an urgent public health challenge because unlike most other diseases deaths due to liver disease are rapidly rising

Award: Carnegie Mellon University received an $18.05 million Cooperative Agreement from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), CFDA 93.384, awarded September 26, 2025, with completion targeted for September 25, 2028. The funding supports the Liver Immunocompetent Volumetric Engineering (LIVE) initiative, which aims to develop 3D bioprinted liver tissue constructs to address the critical public health challenge of liver disease, which causes over 2 million deaths annually and drives rising mortality rates globally.

The project unites world-leading researchers in 3D bioprinting, liver tissue engineering, stem cell biology, and liver health disparities in partnership with two major liver transplant centers. Deliverables include development of bioprinted, immunocompetent liver tissue that eliminates the need for systemic immunosuppression and overcomes critical barriers in bioprinting technology and human cell sourcing. Sub-awardees include the University of Pittsburgh (hiPSC-derived liver cell production and characterization), the University of Washington (research collaboration), Fluidform Inc. (3D printing technology development), Mayo Clinic (GMP-grade human induced pluripotent stem cell production and derivative cell types including hepatocytes, endothelial cells, and hepatic stellate cells), and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin (GMP-grade hiPSC line selection and characterization). The consortium's integrated approach targets translation of regenerative medicine breakthroughs into a transformative cure for liver disease applicable across all patient populations.

This increase is adding to an already enormous health burden in which liver disease causes over 2 million deaths each year. As just one example of the challenge of liver disease acute liver failure (ALF) leads to lost liver function coagulopathy encephalopathy and high patient mortality of 40% to 90%. In addition patients with liver disease awaiting transplant face severe shortages and a lifetime of suffering under immunosuppression. To address this major health challenge our liver immunocompetent volumetric engineering (LIVE) proposal unites world leaders in 3D bioprinting liver tissue engineering liver and stem cell biology 16 to 22 and liver health disparities with two of the worlds highest volume liver transplant centers. Together we will solve critical barriers in bioprinting and human cell sourcing to build 3D printed liver that will obviate the need for systemic immunosuppression and replace organ transplantation with a true cure for liver disease not just for some but for all patients.