Hardware and software for 3D printing of personalized drugs

• Grant number: 23/08764-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering Design
• Principal Investigator: Jose Luis Davila Sanchez
• Grantee: Jose Luis Davila Sanchez
• Company: 593iCAN Soluções em Impressão 3D Ltda
• CNAE: Fabricação de equipamentos e aparelhos elétricos não especificados anteriormente ; Pesquisa e desenvolvimento experimental em ciências físicas e naturais
• City: Campinas
• Associated research grant: 22/01091-9 - Development of hardware and software tools compatible with desktop 3D printers aiming for customized drugs manufacture, AP.PIPE
• Associated research grant(s): 24/01992-1 - Development of standard semi-solid materials for 3D printing of personalized medications, AP.R
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/07980-8 - Hardware for material extrusion-based 3D printing for the customized production of pharmaceuticals, BP.TT; 23/16179-1 - Hardware for material extrusion 3D printing of customized medications, BP.TT; 23/13511-5 - Computer graphics and software interfaces for 3D printing of drugs, BP.TT; + associated scholarships 23/14159-3 - Electronic hardware and instrumentation for 3D printers for drug manufacturing, BP.TT; 23/13502-6 - Software development for G-code compilation for 3D printing of drugs, BP.TT; 23/13809-4 - Development, characterization, and 3D printing of semi-solid and thermoplastic materials, BP.TT; 23/13477-1 - Hardware and software for 3D printing of personalized drugs, BP.PIPE - associated scholarships

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing or 3D printing has revolutionized the way objects are manufactured. Various research and industry sectors have benefited from this technology, considering its versatile operating principle and the ability to use different technologies with different materials. In the pharmaceutical sector, 3D printing has been initially explored in recent years. 3D printing of medications has the potential to be innovative and disruptive compared to traditional pharmaceutical techniques, especially for the production of personalized medications. This technique could revolutionize the methods of medication manufacturing in the coming years and play a crucial role in treating pediatric, geriatric, or patients with specific medication needs. Through this technology, dosage control can be achieved based on the material's structure. Additionally, the ability to fabricate different geometries allows for the modification of drug release or the palatability of the medication. It also opens up the possibility of manufacturing multi-drug medications, all of which can improve patient adherence to treatments. This project proposes the continuation of the previously executed Phase 1 of the PIPE Project. In Phase 2 of PIPE, the objective will be to gradually increase the technological maturity level of the hardware and software prototypes developed in Phase 1. In Phase 2, the manufacturing processes and raw materials, along with electronic and mechanical components, control software, graphical interfaces, among others, should be appropriately designed, developed, applied, and improved after each stage of validation and technology demonstration. By the end of the project, the aim is to have a commercial version of 3D printers with material extrusion heads and G-code compiler software ready for commercialization in the beachhead market, which includes the research sector and compounding pharmacies. This way, our developments can be used as point-of-care devices for medication manufacturing. To achieve this, the business model will undergo continuous evolution with the objective of scalability and company growth. (AU)