MINNEAPOLIS — Stratasys Ltd. is partnering with New York-based Jacobs Institute (JI) to create a new Center of Excellence (COE) with the goal of advancing the use of 3D printing for a variety of medical applications.

The new COE will leverage Stratasys’ 3D printing technology to develop and test new medical devices using 3D printed prototypes and models and enrich clinical education and training activities for a variety of audiences. The COE will also serve as a referral center for hospitals and medical research organizations that are considering implementing 3D printing labs.

“By partnering with Stratasys, the Jacobs Institute is bringing the leader in 3D printing to Buffalo to work closely with the JI and its partners, Kaleida Health and the University at Buffalo, to accelerate the development of new medical technologies,” said Bill Maggio, CEO of the Jacobs Institute. “Working together, the respective institutions will leverage their strengths to make an impact far greater than they could make individually.”

Stratasys is supporting the COE by providing advanced 3D printing solutions featuring a combination of vibrant colors and diverse material properties including different levels of opacity and rigidity. Stratasys will collaborate with the Jacobs Institute on technical and clinical case studies that include 3D printed applications, and also provide financial support for vital research projects.

“This announcement with the Jacobs Institute is an important milestone, marking the first time we are formally partnering with a medical organization to explore the exciting opportunities of 3D printing and healthcare,” said Scott Rader, general manager, Medical Solutions, Stratasys. “Stratasys brings decades of experience to the Jacobs Institute, a leader in 3D printed models, to push the boundaries of how these models can be used to train the next generation of physicians, and test new devices.”

For more than 25 years, Stratasys Ltd. has been a defining force and dominant player in 3D printing and additive manufacturing – shaping the way things are made. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Rehovot, Israel, the company empowers customers across a broad range of vertical markets by enabling new paradigms for design and manufacturing. The company’s solutions provide customers with unmatched design freedom and manufacturing flexibility – reducing time-to-market and lowering development costs, while improving designs and communications. Stratasys subsidiaries include MakerBot and Solidscape, and the Stratasys ecosystem includes 3D printers for prototyping and production; a wide range of 3D printing materials; parts on-demand via Stratasys Direct Manufacturing; strategic consulting and professional services; and the Thingiverse and GrabCAD communities with over 2 million 3D printable files for free designs. With more than 2,700 employees and 800 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents, Stratasys has received more than 30 technology and leadership awards.

For more information, visit www.stratasys.com.