Nanoform Finland, which specializes in nanoparticle medicine solutions, and 3D printing pharmaceutical company Aprecia, have announced they are working together on solutions related to nanoparticle-enabled 3D-printed dosage forms. The goal, the companies stated, is to come up with new capabilities in patient-centric treatments.
First up, the firms plan to work on combining Nanoform’s fast-dissolution nanoformed particles with ZipDose, Aprecia’s platform geared toward rapid disintegration. The aim is to enable high-performance buccal and oral delivery of treatments in cases where rapid absorption of drugs is vital; other anticipated benefits could include lower-dosage products, reduced excipient content, and lowered pill burden.
Edward Hæggström, Nanform CEO, said the collaboration has the potential to expand the possibilities in patient-centric drug delivery solutions.
“At the heart of everything we do is the patient,” he said. “This is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the power of small for rapid drug absorption, potentially bypassing the first-pass metabolism via a novel dosage form such as buccal delivery with Aprecia's 3DP technology platforms.”
Chris Gilmore, CEO of Aprecia, said the collaboration with Nanoform is in line with its focus on providing customers with solutions to especially challenging formulation goals, which might not be possible or practical with more conventional manufacturing methods.
“The opportunity to join forces with Nanoform will enable new fast-acting and high-performance buccal and oral dosage forms not previously seen in the industry,” Gilmore commented. “With the first and only FDA approval for a product utilizing these leading-edge 3DP technology platforms, along with the world's only commercial-scale equipment and manufacturing process, Aprecia is paving the way for our current partners and future customers to make the medication experience better for both the patient and the caregiver."
In May 2020, Nanoform’s technology received a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification from the Finnish Medicines Agency (FIMEA). The certification gave the company the go-ahead to manufacture investigational drugs using its platform, for use in clinical trials.