3D Printing Technologies: Recent Development and Emerging Applications in Various Drug Delivery Systems

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Biomedical Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• 3D printing is an emerging digitized technology revolutionizing personalized medicine.
• It enables tailored drug delivery systems and medical devices for specific patient populations.
• Challenges in drug formulation, especially for poorly soluble drugs, can be addressed by 3D printing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review 3D printing technologies and their applications in pharmaceutical research.
• To highlight the advantages and limitations of 3D printing in drug delivery and medical device manufacturing.
• To discuss the potential of 3D printing in addressing formulation and drug delivery challenges.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of 3D printing technologies.
• Analysis of applications in various drug delivery systems (tablets, films, liquids, etc.).
• Examination of 3D printing in regenerative medicine, prosthetics, and implantable devices.

Main Results:

• 3D printing allows customization of size, shape, and drug release profiles.
• Applications span diverse drug delivery systems and medical devices.
• Recent regulatory approvals and guidance are accelerating research and development.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing has the potential to solve complex formulation and drug delivery challenges.
• It facilitates on-site, customized production with dose flexibility from pre-clinical to clinical stages.
• Integration of 3D printing is poised to revolutionize pharmaceutical manufacturing.