Rhode Island Patent of the Month – April 2022
While nearly anyone can have a 3D printer now, the technology surrounding them is still growing. The medical field could really benefit from the rapid and customizable printing offered by 3D manufacturing. Recently, the first 3D printed drug was FDA approved and many 3D printed implants have been used in surgery. The medical field is limited by the need for sterility in the working environment and in material. This means the printing can only take place in environments designed specifically for sterile printing – limiting the ability to rapidly print custom drugs or compounds.
Vitae Industries, Inc. set out to create the system that would bring 3D printing to any pharmacy. Their solution is a benchtop printer which automates the compound manufacturing. It can hold all different trays to create whichever gummy, pill, or capsule you need with personalized and reliable doses.
The device has a sterile interior with a HEPA filter to cleanse airflow. UVC lights are also used to irradiate the interior alongside spray nozzles which disperse a sterilizing agent. With these cleansing methods in place, the interior meets the FDAs Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations to be CGMP compliant.
A sterile internal needle is used to extrude the compound into the trays. The extrusion tip is replaced between compounds to maintain sterility. The device then uses traditional manufacturing capabilities to precisely extrude the compound in the desired dose, volume, and consistency. With sterility on lock, compounding can be safely automated.
Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.
Who We Are:
Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.
Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.
