10.11.2023
Doctoral Thesis on Tailored Doses by Means of Semi-Solid Extrusion-Based 3D Printing
M.Sc. (Pharm.Sci.) Erica Monaco’s doctoral thesis in Pharmaceutical Science will be put forth for public defence at The Faculty of Science and Engineering at Åbo Akademi University.
The thesis is entitled Tailored Doses by Means of Semi-Solid Extrusion-Based 3D Printing.
The public defence of the doctoral thesis takes place on Friday, 17 November 2023 at 1PM, in Auditorium Argentum, Aurum, Henrikinkatu 2, Turku. Assoc. Professor Karin Kogermann, University of Tartu, Estonia will serve as opponent and Professor Jessica Rosenholm, Åbo Akademi University, as custos.
Summary
This thesis introduces semi-solid extrusion 3D-printing (SSE 3DP) as a solution to the urgent need for tailored medicine doses, crucial for children and pets where suitable doses are scarce. Traditional compounding methods are often rigid and error-prone, failing to meet specific dosing needs effectively. SSE 3DP emerges as a transformative technology in this context, efficiently and accurately crafting custom doses at room temperature, making it suitable even for sensitive drugs.
The thesis explores SSE 3DP as a novel, efficient, and reliable alternative to traditional manual compounding techniques for producing customized drug-loaded oral dosage forms. Through meticulous experimentation with five different drugs, including a highly potent drug and a poorly soluble drug, the research successfully demonstrates the flexible crafting of various personalized oral dosage forms, focusing on different aspects of customization, such as dosage, size, and type.
Notably, this technology proves particularly beneficial for individuals with swallowing difficulties, providing easier-to-ingest doses in forms like chewable tablets or films that dissolve in the mouth. The research compares SSE 3DP with inkjet printing and traditional compounding, and also conducts a thorough analysis of the produced dosage forms and their stability.
The findings of this thesis have significant implications. Beyond their academic value, they offer practical, real-world solutions. This technology efficiently addresses dosing challenges, improves treatment outcomes, and ensures improved patient comfort and adherence, especially in paediatric and veterinary care. By harnessing the capabilities of SSE 3DP, new possibilities for personalized medicine are unlocked, optimizing treatment outcomes and enhancing patient experiences, thereby shaping the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare delivery.
Erica Monaco (née Sjöholm) was born in 1991, in Kimito, Finland. She can be reached by phone +1 (804) 332 7165 or email erica.monaco@abo.fi.
The doctoral thesis can be read online through the Doria publication archive.
Click here for a press photo of the doctoral student.