Zwitterionic printlets via vat photopolymerisation: A cutting-edge platform for controlled oral drug release systems

Vat photopolymerisation 3D printing has attracted considerable interest as an innovative technology for producing personalised medicines. However, the limited availability of materials suitable for printing pharmaceutical forms remains a significant barrier to progress in the field. Zwitterionic materials have recently emerged as promising next-generation biomaterials, offering a viable alternative for 3D printing of novel biocompatible systems. In this study, we report for the first time the use of a drug-loaded zwitterionic photopolymerisable formulation to fabricate advanced drug delivery systems. LCD 3D printing was employed to produce zwitterionic hydrogel forms loaded with dexamethasone sodium phosphate, using a biocompatible riboflavin/triethanolamine-based photoinitiator system. Drug-loaded zwitterionic solid forms were subsequently obtained through dehydration of the hydrogel structures. Printlets - comprising both hydrogel and solid states with tailored dosages - were manufactured by adjusting the diameter of the 3D-designed cylinders. Drug release from printlets of varying sizes occurred in a controlled manner over a period of up to 10 h, with the solid forms exhibiting a slower dissolution rate. This research demonstrates the feasibility of using drug-loaded zwitterionic photopolymerisable formulations as potential materials for the fabrication of personalised drug delivery systems via vat photopolymerisation 3D printing.