You can 3D print pretty much anything these days, from vagina-shaped canoes to intricate medical reconstructions of jaws. Now, the National University of Singapore is 3D printing another medical breakthrough – a personalised pill.
The pill, the team say, is a "cheap, simple way" of creating "multiple medications with different release formulas" in just one pill.
The team describe the pill as a "gamechanger" as it is "it is technically simple, inexpensive and versatile".
"For a long time, personalised medicine has been a mere concept, as it was far too complex or expensive to be realised," said lead author Soh Siow Ling.
The pill works by using polymers to separate internal components. These polymers then determine when, and how much of, a drug is released into the body.
"For instance, a five-prong shape will allow the drug to be released in five pulses over time," said Soh adds. "By adjusting the shape of the drug-containing polymer, it is thus possible to release drugs at any desired rate."
The team hope that their prototype will soon come to market.
"We're currently in talks with companies who will bring the technology to commercialisation," Soh told WIRED.
"The process will take some time, and will depend on governmental regulations, just like anything that involves human consumption."
"But there is no doubt in its potential."
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
