PLGA from PolySciTech used in development of 3D-printable Bioink for biomedical applications

3D Printing is a powerful technique which enables generation of unique structures that can be widely applied to biomedical applications. Recently, researchers from University of Prince Edward Island (Canada) used PLGAs (AP149, AP136, AP020, and AP021) from PolySciTech (www.polyscitech.com) to develop a series of 3D printable constructs. This research holds promise to provide improved drug-eluting implants and scaffolds. Read more: Naseri, Emad, Haley Butler, Wyatt MacNevin, Marya Ahmed, and Ali Ahmadi. "Low-temperature solvent-based 3D printing of PLGA: a parametric printability study." Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy just-accepted (2020): 1-13. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03639045.2019.1711389

“Abstract: In this paper, a novel low-temperature 3D printing technique is introduced and characterized through a parametric printability study to fabricate poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) constructs using methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as a solvent. The effects of varying concentrations of PLGA in MEK solvent, lactic to glycolic ratio of PLGA, the molecular weight of PLGA, and the scaling of PLGA constructs on the printability are investigated. PLGA concentrations of higher than 80% w/v, lactic to glycolic ratio more than 75%, molecular weight more than 100 kDa, and printing through nozzles smaller than 0.96 mm internal diameter are recommended for 3D printing of PLGA constructs with high shape fidelity. Ultimately, a vacuum drying solvent removal process is implemented, and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy is used to confirm complete removal of the solvent from PLGA constructs. The results of this study can be used for the development of drug-eluting implants. Keywords: 3D printing, PLGA, Printability, Drug Eluting Implants, Bioabsorbable Scaffolds”

--> Save-the-date: Akina, Inc's third annual Biotech-Pharma-Cancer-Research (BPCR) conference is August 26 at Kurz Purdue Technology Center (KPTC) (http://bpcrconference.com/).