Harnessing the power of 3DP to develop innovative medicines
Powder-liquid three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology was developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the late 1980s as a rapid-prototyping technique. This technology uses an aqueous fluid to bind together multiple layers of powder using a unique, patent-protected process to create a wide range of products.
This work was expanded into the areas of tissue engineering and pharmaceutical use from 1993 to 2003. Over the years, this process and related layered-manufacturing techniques have been used to fuel innovation and progress across various industries. From fabricating automotive parts to crafting intricate biological structures, this process has proven invaluable, with significant untapped potential.
Pharmaceutical rights to MIT’s 3DP process are exclusively licensed to Aprecia. Seeing an opportunity to improve the patient experience of taking medications, Aprecia is applying advanced 3DP techniques to the realm of pharmaceutical products.
Bringing ZipDose® Technology to life
Using proprietary 3DP manufacturing process, Aprecia developed the ZipDose platform, which is designed to enable delivery of high-dose medications in a rapidly disintegrating form. ZipDose® Technology produces a product layer-by-layer without using compression forces, punches, or dies. First, a powder blend is deposited as a single layer. Then, an aqueous binding fluid is applied and interactions between the powder and liquid bind these materials together.
This process is repeated several times to produce solid, yet highly porous formulations, even at high dose loading. Aprecia’s ZipDose® products are designed to:
- Rapidly disintegrate on contact with liquid by breaking the bonds created during the 3DP process
- Support dose loading up to 1,000 mg
Chemist Lee Cronin is working on a 3D printer that, instead of objects, is able to print molecules. An exciting potential long-term application: printing your own medicine using chemical inks.
https://www.aprecia.com/
