The Application of 3D Printing in the Formulation of Personalized Drug Delivery Systems

the interest toward additive manufacturing is growing considering the formulation of personalized medicines [1]. 3D printing is commonly an additive process, which results in various layer-bylayer built objects. A vast number of methods are available beyond 3D Printing but there are only few of them which can be employed for tailored pharmaceutical manufacturing (e.g. Photopolymerization, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)) [2]. During these methods the number of unit operations is minimalized, and the opportunity to fabricate every single printlet shaped according to the individuals’ profile with only minimal human intervention can be the cause of the increased research activity in this field [3]. The additional benefit of this type of manufacturing is the capability of producing customized ways of medication for pediatrics, geriatrics and patients suffering from organ dsyfunctions, avoiding the slightest chance of reaching toxic doses in their body. Several types of dosage forms were previously microfabricated including floating systems, pulsatile drug release tablets and zero-order release forms [4]. The first 3D printed orodispersible tablet was approved by the FDA in 2015.[5] The objective of our study was to design and print biodegradable drug delivery systems. Commercially available filament materials were screened as well as the print settings were optimized. In addition, the influence of design parameters including wall thickness, morphology, number and size of pores on the drug delivery in case of model drugs was investigated. Moreover, the applicability of matrix polymers and gelling agents in the process of 3D printing was studied. There were some formulations aiming the study of dose proportionality, in order to expand the opportunities of personalized medication. 2. Materials and methods