BIG PHARMA’S 3D PRINTING

Merck, USA, is at the forefront when it comes to applying 3D printing in drug manufacturing. In 2020, the firm partnered with Germany’s AMCM, a sister company of 3D printing world-market leader EOS to develop and produce 3D printed tablets, first for clinical trials and then later for commercial manufacturing.

In March 2022, US’ Johnson & Johnson also expanded its partnership with UK’s Midatech Pharma for 3D printing to better encapsulate drugs. UK’s GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is also investigating the advantages 3D printing pharmaceuticals could bring to the manufacturing of pills and tablets. In 2017, the firm partnered with scientists at the University of Nottingham in the UK and completed a study in which inkjet printing and UV curing was used to produce 3D tablets in order to treat Parkinson’s disease.