O P T I C A L I N S I G H T S
3 2 O P T I C A L P R I S M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 6
recise Bio, a North
Carolina-based clinical
stage regenerative medicine
company, has announced
the first patient successful
human 3D, cell-based,
bioprinted corneal implant, known as
PB-001, at Rambam Medical Center in
Haifa, Israel, as part of the company’s
ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial. The proce-
dure was performed on October 29, 2025
on a patient who was legally blind at the
time of treatment, and the implant was
done in one eye.
The successful first human corneal implan-
tation marks a transformational moment in
ophthalmology and regenerative medicine.
trauma. Corneal opacity-related vision
loss continues to be a major global issue
and disproportionately impacts regions
that are least equipped to manage
corneal diseases. Over half of the world’s
population has no access to corneal
transplantation services.
Countries like the United States and
Sri Lanka are major exporters of donor
tissue, while many other nations rely
heavily on imports.
THE BREAKTHROUGH
The transplant is being heralded by the
ophthalmology and regenerative medicine
communities as it signifies a pioneering
procedure in tissue engineering.
Precise Bio is a clinical-stage regenerative
medicine company pioneering bioprinted
tissues and organs with an initial focus on
ophthalmology. The company is housed at
a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
facility located in one of Israel’s leading
hospitals, Sheba Medical Center.
GLOBAL SHORTAGES OF
CORNEAL TISSUE
While approximately 185,000 corneal
transplants are performed globally each
year, this only covers a fraction of the
actual demand. The shortage dispropor-
tionately affects developing countries,
where corneal blindness is more
prevalent due to factors like infection and
Sight by
Design
Global First: A 3D Printed Cornea Restores Sight
BY EVRA TAYLOR
O P T I C A L I N S I G H T S