Technology inspired by 3D printing could transform how medicines are tailored to patients

Technology inspired by 3D printing could revolutionize how medicines are tailored to individual patients, according to a doctoral thesis by Mahsa Bahman at Åbo Akademi University. Many medications today are produced in standard dosages, despite patients frequently requiring unique treatment regimens. Bahman's research explored a technology that employs a manufacturing method inspired by 3D printing to produce personalized medicines with precise, individually tailored doses.

This approach utilizes a gel-like formulation and a dispensing system that allows pharmacists to create patient-specific treatments while preserving consistent quality. One significant advantage of this technology is its potential to benefit children, elderly patients, and individuals requiring doses not commercially available. By dispensing carefully measured amounts of the gel formulation, pharmacists can manufacture dosage forms containing exactly the necessary dose for each patient.

The study evaluated various aspects of the technology, including dose accuracy, product quality, stability, and consistency, and examined its performance in a hospital pharmacy setting. The research also highlighted the technology's potential benefits for older patients whose medication needs change over time, patients with rare diseases requiring specialized doses, and hospital patients who require frequent dose adjustments.

Additionally, the technology could prove valuable in situations where commercial products are in short supply due to shortages. Bahman's thesis was conducted entirely within the industry as part of her industrial doctoral research at CurifyLabs, a Finnish health technology company and spinoff of Åbo Akademi University. This collaboration between academia and industry demonstrates how scientific advancements can be translated into practical healthcare solutions.