Lecture Series Highlights Transformative Role of 3D Printing in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

The Institute of Pharmacy, ADBU hosted Lecture Series No. 07 titled “3D Printing: From Lab and Beyond (A Pharmaceutical Science Perspective)” on February 4, 2026, from 2:30 PM to 3:40 PM in hybrid mode. The session provided an in-depth exploration of how 3D printing is rapidly evolving from a laboratory prototyping tool into a viable manufacturing paradigm for the pharmaceutical industry in 2026.

The lecture was delivered by Dr. Peeyush Kumar Sharma, a noted academician and researcher associated with Indian Institute of Technology Ropar. Drawing upon his extensive research experience, Dr. Sharma guided students and faculty through the scientific and industrial implications of additive manufacturing in pharmaceutical sciences. The session centered on the “Lab to Beyond” trajectory, underscoring that 3D printing now holds the potential for real-time, precision-based drug manufacturing.

Technological Modalities and Precision Control

Dr. Sharma elaborated on two key technologies driving pharmaceutical 3D printing: Vat Photopolymerization (SLA/DLP) and Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM). He addressed one of the critical technical barriers—light scattering during the curing process—which can lead to over-cured and non-compliant dosage forms. To overcome this challenge, he discussed the use of specific photo absorbers such as tartrazine to produce so-called “ghost tablets.” These inert, non-erodible matrices improve printing resolution and ensure accurate drug loading, enhancing dose precision and compliance.

Shift Toward Personalized Medicine

A major highlight of the lecture was the move away from the traditional “one-size-fits-all” dosage model. Dr. Sharma demonstrated how 3D printing enables:

• Tailored dosage forms with precise adjustment of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) based on patient-specific factors such as age, weight, and genomic profile.
• Complex internal geometries designed using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to regulate drug dissolution rates—from immediate-release “Zip Dose” formulations to multi-stage extended-release systems.
• Polypills that integrate multiple incompatible drugs into a single multi-layered tablet, thereby reducing pill burden and improving patient adherence.

Advanced Biomedical Applications

The lecture extended beyond oral dosage forms into advanced biomedical innovations. Dr. Sharma discussed emerging developments in bioprinting and transdermal drug delivery systems, including 3D-printed hollow microneedle arrays for painless delivery of high-molecular-weight antibiotics. He also highlighted the use of bio-adhesive, chitosan-based meshes for wound healing applications. These developments, he noted, represent the “Beyond” dimension of pharmaceutical 3D printing—moving toward site-specific drug delivery systems and tissue-engineered constructs.

Regulatory and Industrial Outlook

In the context of 2026, the session addressed the growing regulatory and industrial focus on commercial-scale validation. With the global market for 3D-printed pharmaceuticals projected to expand significantly, Dr. Sharma emphasized the importance of point-of-care manufacturing. This model envisions a shift from centralized production facilities to hospital pharmacies, where medications can be printed on demand under stringent digital quality control protocols. The lecture concluded with an engaging interaction, leaving students with a forward-looking perspective on how additive manufacturing could reshape the future of pharmacy practice. The event successfully bridged academic research with industrial realities, reinforcing the transformative potential of 3D printing in modern pharmaceutical science.