In keeping with a report from the Worldwide Federation of Pharmaceutical Producers and Associations (IFPMA), in 2022 mixed “direct, oblique and induced results” of the worldwide biopharmaceutical trade led to a contribution of $1.838 trillion to the world’s GDP with spending on R&D taking part in a very vital function. Certainly, annual spending on analysis for the trade is 8.1 occasions larger than that of the aerospace and protection trade. This reveals that it’s a consistently evolving trade, during which innovation is a key driver. And one of many elements driving this innovation is additive manufacturing. As you recognize, 3D applied sciences have lengthy been used within the medical sector, and the pharmaceutical trade additionally advantages from their benefits. Actually, they’re more and more used to design tailored medicines that higher meet sufferers’ wants. Additive manufacturing additionally makes it potential to mix a number of therapies in a single pill, making it significantly simpler to take medicine. Among the many gamers who’ve made this actuality their specialty is Singapore-based start-up Craft Well being. It has developed a 3D printing resolution to supply personalised medicines and extra managed pharmaceutical merchandise. We caught up with one among its founders to seek out out extra!
3DN: May you introduce your self and your connection to 3D printing? How did Craft Well being come about?
My title is Wei Jiang GOH, and I’m a pharmacist by coaching and practiced as a pharmacist in a Singapore hospital. Subsequently, I used to be awarded the PhD-MBA double diploma scholarship on the Nationwide College of Singapore (NUS) the place I uncovered my ardour for the convergence between know-how and commercialization. In my closing 12 months of my PhD, I spoke to my now co-founder, Dr. Seng Han LIM, on working collectively to unravel an issue that resonates with each of us. Our backgrounds had been largely comparable as we had been each working towards pharmacists in a hospital setting earlier than.
Dr. Lim Seng Han (left) and Dr. Wei Jiang Goh (proper), the co-founders of Craft Well being
We thought that polypharmacy, or having too many medicines, was a giant concern. Particularly since we noticed sufferers going residence with baggage stuffed with capsules every day once we had been pharmacists. Polypharmacy is often related to poor affected person outcomes, particularly since sufferers develop into confused from taking some many various capsules, or endure from tablet taking fatigue. We brainstormed for various options, and ultimately realized what my co-founder, Dr Lim, was engaged on for his PhD thesis may very well be the answer.
He was engaged on 3D printing to personalize medicines. We realized we might use 3D printing in addition to our formulation abilities to 3D print and mix a number of medicines into only one polypill. This could successfully cut back the tablet burden and remedy the issue of polypharmacy. We obtained a small grant, examined out the know-how, and Craft Well being was began in 2019 in Singapore.
3DN: How are Craft Well being merchandise manufactured?
Craft Well being™ helps varied stakeholders within the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries equivalent to hospitals, clinics, compounding pharmacies, pharmaceutical and complement corporations remedy varied ache factors via our Craft Well being™ 3D printing platform.
These ache factors embody new product improvement, utilizing 3D printing as a fast prototyping instrument, combining a number of medicines or dietary supplements right into a single polypill, customizing the shape (form, geometry, color, style) of tablets, attaining particular personalized lively ingredient launch profiles and just-in-time manufacture.
The Craft Well being™ 3D printing platform consists of three key components:
- CraftMake: The 3D printer. This represents one of many world’s first 3D printer for prescription drugs and nutraceuticals, utilizing a warmth and UV-free method.
- CraftManagement: The 3D printing software program. We now have enter a number of printing parameters appropriate for 3D printing of capsules / tablets.
- CraftBlends: Our proprietary mixture of non-active substances, sourced from america Meals & Drug Administration (USFDA) Typically Regarded As Secure (GRAS) listing. This proprietary combine permits a 3D printable paste to be made, with a particular managed launch profile, equivalent to speedy/delayed/sustained launch.
Collectively, these 3 components are optimized for one another, to be able to 3D print nutraceuticals and prescription drugs in a exact and managed method, with comparatively excessive throughput. Our core capabilities embody formulation improvement, 3D printing and pilot scale manufacturing in a Class 10K cleanroom setting.
CraftMake makes it potential to supply medicine with out using warmth or UV rays
3DN: What are the principle benefits of additive manufacturing within the pharmaceutical trade?
The advantages of 3D printing for this market are quite a few. Firstly, there’s the mass customization of medicines, in regard to dose, collection of medicines and even launch profile (speedy, sustained or delayed launch of the medication). Secondly, 3D applied sciences can be utilized to change the style profile or masks the style of unpleasant-tasting medicine. They will additionally design complicated shapes or geometries for particular managed launch profiles or concentrating on.
What’s extra, 3D printing is ready to fight the problems of polypharmacy by combining a number of medicine in a single pill. Lastly, because of additive manufacturing, it’s potential to supply small collection for testing functions, in portions that aren’t essentially worthwhile for factories or manufacturing processes.
3DN : What are Craft Well being’s future tasks?
We’re specializing in two key vertical markets for Craft Well being. Firstly, we have now developed a Colon concentrating on Drug Supply System (DDS) utilizing our Craft Well being 3D Printing Platform. By way of the mix of geometric design and supplies, we’re capable of goal the massive gut, an often-neglected website. We will probably be working with totally different teams to develop a pipeline of therapeutics using our DDS for colorectal most cancers and inflammatory bowel illness.
Examples of 3D printed medicines
Secondly, we’re increasing into the compounding pharmacy scene. Our vary of 3D printers, CraftMake can 3D print pharmaceutical and nutraceutical preparations constantly in a steady method, offering compounding pharmacies with probably decreased value of manpower and elevated manufacturing output.
Lastly, we may even be working with a Singapore hospital to launch Southeast Asia’s very first medical trial involving 3D printing medicines. The primary use case will probably be a polypill for tuberculosis, the place it’s pertinent to stick to the prescribed medicine routine, as it’s extremely contagious.
3DN: Any final phrases for our readers?
Be careful for this area subsequent 12 months as we proceed to innovate on the forefront of 3D printed medicines! You will discover out extra on our web site HERE.
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*All Picture Credit: Craft Well being