Formulation Development and Characterization of 3D-Printed Tailored Dosage Forms for Veterinary Applications : A study in Pharmaceutical Sciences

The limited availability of flexible treatment options in veterinary medicines, especially for companion animals, has spurred a growing need for innovative solutions and advanced technologies to address these shortcomings. Challenges associated with the lack of available medicines, reliance on standard-sized dosage forms, and the limitations of conventional manufacturing methods hinder the ability to provide individualized treatments to pets of varying sizes. Semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D-printing technology has emerged as a promising solution in pharmaceutical development, offering unique advantages, particularly for oral drug delivery. The SSE technique offers significant flexibility by enabling the production of tailored dosage forms through simple adjustments in size, allowing formulations to meet the specific needs of individual veterinary patients.

This thesis explores the development of oral drug delivery systems using five active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and cellulose derivatives as matrix-forming polymers for SSE 3D-printable inks. The studies forming the foundation of this thesis focused on formulating printable inks incorporating APIs commonly used off-label in veterinary medicine, where current treatment options remain limited. SSE 3D printing technology was utilized to fabricate on-demand dosage forms with accurate dosing and customizable release profiles adjusted for cats and dogs based on their body weight. This method aims to improve treatment options and enhance patient compliance at the point-of-care. The research successfully demonstrated the fabrication of tailored dosage forms, including orodispersible films, chewable tablets, oral films, and dual-release tablets produced from different formulations in various sizes, showing significant formulation flexibility. Comprehensive results from the various analyses confirmed the feasibility of SSE 3D-printing technology in producing palatable, patient-centric formulations with tailored doses, preferred release profiles, and solid-state stability. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of SSE 3D-printing in developing a flexible and effective platform for advancing and improving treatment options in veterinary medicine.

All in all, this thesis provides an overview of the development of tailored dosage forms for cats and dogs using SSE 3D-printing technology, highlighting its potential as a modern alternative to traditional compounding. Furthermore, it provides insights into establishing protocols for on-demand manufacturing of tailored doses at veterinary healthcare clinics or pharmacies, thereby providing safe and improved therapeutic treatment options close to the point-of-care.