The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has announced award recipients under its Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts (THEA) program. With funding of up to $125 million, the initiative aims to develop the first complete human eye transplantation procedure, targeting restoration of vision for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Some awardees are using 3D printed scaffolds to support retinal cell integration and nerve reconnection, showcasing AM role in advancing regenerative eye treatments.
“What if we could cure blindness? Modern medicine can correct some eye problems, but we really have no way to restore lost vision, which THEA now seeks to change,” said ARPA-H Director Renee Wegrzyn, Ph.D. “THEA intends to revolutionize the reconnection of nerves to the brain and develop breakthroughs in transplantation, preservation, and neuroscience. ARPA-H’s investment has the potential to repair vision loss for millions of Americans.”
ARPA-H Launches THEA Program. Image via ARPA-H.
Technical Focus and Regenerative Approaches
The selected teams will work to test therapies that regenerate cranial nerves, maintain critical structures of the eye—such as the retina and optic nerve after transplant—and prevent postoperative inflammation or rejection. Achieving whole-eye transplantation will involve emerging microsurgical methods alongside genetic and cell-based therapies to preserve or regrow neural connections from the eye to the brain.
“While there are therapies to slow the progression of vision loss, there are currently none that can bring back a person’s ability to see,” said ARPA-H THEA Program Manager Calvin Roberts, M.D. “THEA and our performers intend to address this challenge, by transplanting the whole donor eye, reconnecting the nerves, muscles, and blood vessels to the brain and restoring vision. ARPA-H’s investments may eventually help generate new solutions for other neurological conditions, as well, such as spinal cord injuries.”
THEA’s research will focus on three technical areas: retrieval and preservation of donor eyes, optic nerve repair and regeneration, and surgical procedures including postoperative care and functional assessment.
The 3D printed optoelectronic “bionic eye” device. Photo via UMN/McAlpine Group.
Awarded Teams and Broader Implications
Teams receiving awards include InGel Therapeutics in Allston, Massachusetts, which is exploring 3D printed click-lock gel scaffolds containing stem cell-derived retinal cells; Stanford University, focusing on donor eye procurement, cell survival, regeneration strategies, and transplant procedures; the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, developing stem cell and bioelectronic technologies to support nerve regeneration; and the University of Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, which is concentrating on donor eye preservation using its eye-ECMO system.
Manufacturing on Demand
Award funding is capped per performer and is contingent on achieving agreed-upon milestones.
If successful, THEA could provide new approaches to treat major causes of blindness in the United States, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, for which no cures currently exist. The program’s breakthroughs may also inform treatments for other neurological conditions, such as spinal cord injuries.
Eyecre’s 3D printed eye model being operated upon. Photo via Stratasys.
Advances in 3D Printing for Vision Restoration
In parallel with programs like THEA, researchers worldwide are exploring 3D printing to restore vision. In Switzerland, scientists are developing 3D printed artificial corneas for patients with corneal disease or injury. Led by Empa in collaboration with the University of Zurich, the Zurich Veterinary Hospital, and Radboud University, the project uses a hydrogel combining collagen and hyaluronic acid to replicate the cornea’s natural structure and function. AM allows implants to be customized to each patient’s eye, potentially enabling stitch-free surgery, reducing post-operative complications, and eventually incorporating patient-derived stem cells to promote healing and long-term stability.
Elsewhere, the EU-funded Keratoprinter project is creating a 3D bioprinting platform capable of producing full-thickness, curved human corneas, addressing the global shortage of donor tissue. Coordinated by Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research and involving nine partners across five countries, the initiative combines natural biomaterials, bio-based inks, and patient-specific digital customization to replicate the cornea’s multilayered structure. Its feedback-driven workflow, integrating real-time imaging, sensors, and machine learning, ensures precision and repeatability, while the sustainable, modular design supports adaptable local production and broad accessibility in hospitals and research centers.
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Author: Paloma Duran
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