An investigation into the effect of formulation factors on the critical quality attributes of granules prepared by selective laser sintering

Abstract

Additive manufacturing represents an emerging shift in the pharmaceutical research, due to the opportunity for dosage form individualization to the patient’s needs. Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a novel 3D printing technology recently introduced as the drug preparation method (1). Its potential in the different dosage forms preparation, mainly tablets, e.g. orodispersible tablets, was described in the literature (2). However, the attempts in 3D printing of multiparticulate dosage forms are scarce (3) and no SLS printed granules were described in the literature. The aim of this work was to prepare granules by SLS printing and investigate the effect of formulation factors (polymer type, model drug and particle size) on the critical quality attributes of the obtained granules. ...