A team of scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Informatics in Saarbrücken, Germany, and the University of California at Davis, have developed a novel process for 3D printing pills that can release pharmaceutical drugs at predetermined speeds.

The research group leader provided insights to 3D Printing Industry on the implications of the technique.

In a recently published research paper led by Dr. Vahid Babaei from the Max Planck Institute and Prof. Julian Panetta of UC Davis, the team demonstrated how pills can be 3D printed with specific shapes to determine the speed at which they dissolve within the human body.

Geometric shapes are easier to control than alternative timed drug-delivery methods such as intravenous infusion. Thus, given the importance of controlling pharmaceutical drug levels in patients, It is claimed that this new method has significant potential within the pharmaceutical industry. Beyond pharmaceutics, the production of catalytic bodies and coarse granular fertilizers are also pointed to as potential applications.

“I am convinced that point of care, personalized medicine is around the corner, and 3D printing will play a major role,” commented Dr. Babaei, Research Group Leader, Artificial Intelligence-Aided Design and Manufacturing Group, at Max Planck Institute for Informatics.

You can find the article on this topic here