Lung disease is a primary cause of mortality worldwide, and for individuals afflicted with irreversible and terminal lung conditions, lung transplantation is the sole solution for long-term treatment. The acute deficiency of appropriate donors leads to extended waiting periods with diminished prospects for successful recovery owing to suboptimal organ function following transplantation. The CellMembrane consortium is creating the first biobased nanocellulose (NC) artificial lung, intended to serve as a permanent substitute and a bridge solution for transplantation. The initial project has established a robust foundation, and the incorporation of NOVA via this Hop-On application will introduce essential advancements to expedite progress and tackle current challenges in cellulose-based membrane development. To improve NC composite production, NOVA will synthesize new cellulose derivatives. Other partners will use these cellulose-based composites in bioink formulations and membrane production. These will enhance the artificial lung prototype's biocompatibility and gas exchange efficacy. NOVA will bring Janus membrane production know-how, enabling the construction of asymmetric membranes optimized for gas transfer, thereby improving the device's functionality. NOVA will also develop thin membranes using casting techniques not currently used within the project, to produce high-performance, hemocompatible membranes that are essential for prolonged use in artificial lungs. In close collaboration with CellMembrane partners, NOVA will help to advance artificial lung technology by creating a prototype that facilitates sustained gas exchange without requiring systemic anticoagulants. This project has the potential to revolutionize treatment alternatives for patients awaiting lung transplantation, markedly enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life.

Lung disease is the third biggest cause of deaths globally. For the irreversible and terminal lung disease patients, lung transplantation is the only long-term therapy. Due to the unavailability the suitable donors, there is not only a minimum of 18 months of wait on the organ donation. Patients who eventually secure a lung transplant have less than 20% chance of recovery due to ‘poor organ function’. Therefore, there is not only a great need for an artificial lung as a permanent replacement organ but also as a bridge to transplantation. Existing artificial lung devices fail to mimic the flow gas exchange properties of a human lung and suffer from low biocompatibility, leading to undesired blood coagulation and hemolysis which limits their applicability to up to 30 days. The complexity and risk associated with current artificial lung technologies mean that they are not offered as long-term lung replacements or as a suitable bridge to transplantation. Through this 36 months EIC pathfinder project, the consortium led by Smart Reactors Ireland, aims to develop the world’s first biobased nanomaterial ‘nanocellulose’ to manufacture an artificial lung device used as a bridge to lung transplantation. The consortium will develop an initial proof of concept nanocellulose device to demonstrate gas transfer and initial hemocompatibility in blood. The proposed approach is expected to have two benefits, the first is that blood flow can occur in laminar flow conditions reducing haemolysis and damage to the blood. Secondly, nanocellulose, has the potential to be endothelialized which would allow for long term gas exchange without the need for systemic anticoagulants.