VISCOFAN SA

Their core work

Viscofan is a major Spanish industrial company specializing in collagen and gelatine-based biomaterials, bringing deep manufacturing expertise in these materials to biomedical research. In H2020, they contribute their collagen processing and production capabilities to tissue regeneration projects, particularly 3D bioprinted scaffolds for musculoskeletal and cardiac repair. They serve as both a materials supplier and an active R&D partner, translating industrial-scale collagen and gelatine production into medical-grade biomaterials for personalized regenerative therapies.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Viscofan's H2020 trajectory shows a clear shift from supporting roles in broad biomedical research to leading focused tissue regeneration work. Their early projects (BRAV3, ARDAT, both starting 2020) involved cardiac tissue engineering, computational modelling, hiPSC-based approaches, and advanced gene/cell therapies — areas where they contributed materials expertise as a participant. By 2021, they stepped up to coordinate TRiAnkle, concentrating on musculoskeletal applications (ankle joints, achilles tendon, osteochondral injuries) using collagen, gelatine, and 3D bioprinting — a much tighter fit with their core industrial capabilities.

Viscofan is narrowing its biomedical R&D focus toward collagen-based 3D bioprinted scaffolds for orthopaedic regeneration, an area where their industrial collagen expertise gives them a direct competitive advantage.

How they like to work

Viscofan operates as both a consortium participant and a project coordinator, demonstrating growing confidence in leading EU research. With 66 unique consortium partners across 16 countries from just 3 projects, they engage in large, multinational consortia typical of ambitious RIA actions. Their dual role in TRiAnkle (coordinator and third party) suggests internal complexity, possibly involving different divisions or subsidiaries contributing distinct capabilities.

Viscofan has built a broad European network of 66 partners across 16 countries through participation in large RIA consortia. Their network spans academic, clinical, and industrial partners in regenerative medicine and advanced therapies.

What sets them apart

Viscofan brings something rare to biomedical research consortia: industrial-scale collagen and gelatine manufacturing capability combined with active participation in regenerative medicine R&D. Most biomaterial suppliers are passive vendors — Viscofan coordinates research projects and co-develops applications. For consortium builders seeking a partner who can bridge the gap between lab-scale biomaterial prototypes and industrial production, Viscofan offers a credible path to manufacturing scalability.

Highlights from their portfolio

• TRiAnkle
  Viscofan's first coordinated H2020 project, combining their core collagen/gelatine expertise with 3D bioprinting for personalised ankle joint scaffolds — a strong signal of strategic R&D direction.
• BRAV3
  Large-scale cardiac regeneration project combining computational biomechanics, hiPSC technology, and 3D printing — demonstrates Viscofan's reach beyond orthopaedic applications into cardiac tissue engineering.