FabRx Ltd., a pioneer in 3D printing of pharmaceuticals that is actually a spin-off from University College London (UCL), has released the first pharmaceutical 3D printer M3DIMAKER™ for the manufacture of personalised medicines. The novel system has been rigorously tested in hospitals, pharmacies and research institutes around the world.
The pharmaceutical 3D printer was first unveiled at the ILMAC Exhibition in Basel (Switzerland) on the 24th – 27th September 2019 but it was not sold in the market. Now, after the completion of multiple tests by reputed authorities, the system is now made available to everyone.
FabRx was one of the first to successfully perform the World’s First Clinical Study to Bring Personalised Patient Treatment by 3D Printing of Pharmaceuticals. It had revealed then that their pioneering study will help in bringing true personalised patient treatment by 3D printing of pharmaceutical products. Now with the launch of M3DIMaker, the study is now a reality.
FabRx’s Pharmaceutical 3D Printer
FabRx’s breakthrough pharmaceutical 3D printer, M3DIMAKER™, is a marvel in itself. It consists of a complex but a sleek hardware system that is controlled by specialised software, allowing the selection of the required dose by the pharmacist according to the prescription given by the clinician.
Currently, medicines are produced using mass manufacturing methods which creates dosage forms with identical characteristics (dosage, appearance and drug release). Such practices can lead to inappropriate dosing, resulting in undesirable side effects or lack of treatment effect in many patient populations (i.e. children and the elderly). In the case of paediatrics, tablets are often split or crushed to meet dosage requirements, which can lead to errors, inaccuracy and occasionally to the incorrect use of medicines. There is a clear need for age-appropriate formulations, however conventional manufacturing techniques have not made enough progress towards personalised medicines.
The printer makes use of a modern fingerprint access control alongside a data matrix reader allowing only a qualified personnel to use the printer thus ensuring manufacturing reliability.
Additionally, the 3D printer is also fitted with advanced in-line quality control procedures alongside camera monitoring of the printing process to track the progress and detect any faults during manufacture. It boasts of cutting edge alternating nozzle system that allows the user to adapt the system to their manufacturing needs.
The M3DIMAKER™ has a large array of applications within drug development (e.g. manufacture of small batches for pre-clinical and clinical studies) as well as clinical practice (personalised medicines). Depending on the medicine being made, the preparation of one-month’s medication (28 printlets) can be carried out in ~8 minutes, revolutionising the drug manufacture timeline.
Speaking at the launch of the pharmaceutical 3D printer, Dr. Alvaro Goyanes, Director of Development at FabRx stated, “We are delighted to be launching our state-of-the-art 3D printing system in light of the recommendations from the regulatory organisations into the pharmaceutical market. I truly believe that we are one step closer to personalised medicine thanks to the M3DIMAKER™.”
With the evolution of such customised dosages, thank to 3D printing technologies, the drug delivery can now truly be personalised and tailored to suit the patient right when it is needed.
FabRx’s ground-breaking pharmaceutical 3D printer has the capability of producing Printlets™ (3D printed tablets) with a precise dose and can even combine multiple medications into a single ‘polypill’ for patients with complicated medication regimens.
About FabRx: FabRx Ltd was established in 2014 by leading academics from University College London (UCL), and is recognised as a world leader in the application of 3D printing technology for medicines and medical devices. Since its initiation, FabRx has developed over seven different types of pharmaceutical 3D printers.
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