Enabling future manufacture of dose forms: screening tools for an HME-3D printing process

Linking a hot-melt-extrusion (HME) process to 3D printing offers the ability for rapid prototyping of dose forms, whilst also allowing for personalisation of the dosage form to the patient's needs. However, process development can be lengthy and laborious since current technology involves process development for the HME and fused filament fabrication (FFF) process via the filament as an intermediate product. This work aims to develop screening tools to understand and predict API-polymer behaviour in HME and FFF processes and therefore reducing development time and resource.