A consortium of companies involved in the NESSIE research project demonstrates the ability to mass produce complex yet vital vaccines at a lower cost. Their secret? Ceramic 3D Printing.
At the heart of this project, there are SINTEF, a Norwegian research organization, Lithoz, a specialist in Ceramic 3D Printing, and IBET, a Portuguese biopharmaceutical research centre. Later on, genIbet and Cerpotech respectively brought their expertise on manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals and innovative materials.
The NESSIE research project in a nutshell
Many patients can not afford some essential vaccines due to their expensive cost. The team of the NESSIE project has shown another tangible example of the capabilities of 3D printing to improve the healthcare system in a sustainable way.
In a press release, they explain that adenoviruses are excellent vectors for delivering genes or vaccine antigens to humans. Many of the successful vaccines actually use viruses to deliver the necessary elements to get immune. Such viruses are expensive to produce. Furthermore like many substances used for humans, there is extra caution with the purity and purification of these viruses is very expensive.
“Using ultra-high resolution ceramic 3D printing and applying a novel design for the manufacture of chromatographic columns (the most advanced purification technology), the project will improve separation and reduce production costs. NESSIE succeeded in the production of the first chromatographic supports (see picture [above]) and will soon test them for adenovirus purification”, concluded the team.
Remember, you can post free of charge job opportunities in the AM Industry on 3D ADEPT Media or look for a job via our job board. Make sure to follow us on our social networks and subscribe to our weekly newsletter : Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & Instagram ! If you want to be featured in the next issue of our digital magazine or if you hear a story that needs to be heard, make sure to send it to contact@3dadept.com.