Researchers from Nottingham University in the U.K. have developed a new technique for 3D printing medication capable of delivering timed doses that promises to pave the way for personalized medicine.

Using multi-material inkjet printing, the researchers were able to 3D print multiple drugs in a single tablet with tailored drug release profiles, which promises to ensure more precise and effective treatment options for patients.
Source: Nottingham UniversitySource: Nottingham University

To accomplish this, the team used an ink formulation based on molecules that are sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. According to the researchers, when these molecules are printed, they create a water-soluble structure.

The interior structure of the tablet, meanwhile, controls the drug release rate, thereby allowing for timing the dosage release. The researchers suggest that this approach can print several drugs in a single tablet, thus simplifying complex medication routines into one dose

An article detailing the approach, “Enabling high-fidelity personalised pharmaceutical tablets through multimaterial inkjet 3D printing with a water-soluble excipient,” appears in the journal Materials Today Advances.

To contact the author of this article, email mdonlon@globalspec.com