Researchers at the University of Glasgow have succeeded in developing a 3D printer that can be used to produce medicines on a small scale at any desired location. According to the researchers, the method can not only reduce the production costs of drugs, but also make it possible to better tailor drugs to users' needs and produce drugs in large production facilities that cannot be made profitable.
In a paper published in the scientific journal Science, the researchers describe how they managed to produce drugs using a 3D printer. This involves the use of a digital code, which allows the 3D printer to print a kind of 'mini-factory'. This mini-factory consists of several interconnected reaction vessels the size of water bottles. The code then indicates at what times and in what order specific chemicals should be added to the reactor vessels. This enables safe, small-scale production of drugs using the 3D printer. The chemicals used are widely available.
A unique code for every medicine
A different code is needed to produce each drug and a new 'mini-factory' has to be printed. The code tells the 3D printer exactly how the reaction vessels should be designed for the production of a specific medicine and which specific chemicals should be added at what time, in what order and in what quantity.
The digital code is created with what the researchers call a 'chemical-to-digital converter'. This converter digitises the manufacturing process so that it can be reproduced using a 3D printer. The researchers liken the approach to converting a CD to an MP3 file, which can then be played on any computer or portable music player. By providing a simple manual with the digital code, users can produce a drug at any location and at any time.
Traditionally, medicines have been produced in large manufacturing facilities. However, some drugs are used only infrequently, so they cannot be produced profitably in such facilities. It is also not possible in such facilities to produce drugs specifically tailored to the needs of a specific user. The researchers argue that their approach could provide a solution by enabling smaller-scale, decentralised production of such drugs. By eliminating the need for expensive production facilities, this could reduce drug production costs, while also making it possible to tailor drugs to the needs of individual users.
Producing baclofen
In the paper, the researchers demonstrate how they used a digital code to produce the drug Baclofen using a 3D printer. This is a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle-related symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including spasms, pain and stiffness. The researchers have also produced other drugs, including an anticonvulsant and a drug for stomach ulcers and reflux.
The approach was developed by a team led by professor Lee Cronin, from the University of Glasgow's Regius Chair of Chemistry. Cronin: "This approach is an important step in digitising chemistry and enables on-demand production of chemicals and drugs that are in short supply and difficult to make in large facilities. It also allows drugs to be customised to the specific application for which they are used. We will use this approach to develop a 'Spotify for chemistry', enabling scientists to develop better code to make important chemicals."
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Source: Science Magazine
Source: University of Glasgow
Source photo: Pixabay / stevepb
