The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday approved an oral use drug that utilizes three-dimensional printing technology – a groundbreaking move that could change the future of medicine. Originally developed by work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the use of 3-D printing has enabled high dose loads that are more easily swallowed because they break down faster with a sip of liquid, according to the company’s description of the technology.
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While the quick-dissolving Spritam tablet is a world away from 3D-printed organs and body parts, its approval shows that the FDA thinks certain 3D-printed materials are safe for human consumption.
Aprecia holds a license for pharmaceutical applications with the 3D technique.
“In my experience, patients and caregivers often have difficulty following a treatment regimen”, he said.
This could prove to be an important step for integrating 3D printing more deeply into the US health system. This makes it easier for children, elderly people and any person with trouble swallowing to properly take the medication.
Aprecia refers to the technology used to produce the new drug as “ZipDose”.
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‘By combining 3DP technology with a highly-prescribed epilepsy treatment, SPRITAM is designed to fill a need for patients who struggle with their current medication experience, ‘ Don Wetherhold, Chief Executive Officer of Aprecia reveals. Tao Levy, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, has already speculated that this could be used to develop custom drugs featuring a dosage flawless for a single patient, rather than continuing today’s one-size-fits-all approach.
