3D Printed Drugs Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (Inkjet Printing, Zipdose Technology, Stereolithography), By Application (Orthopedic, Neurology), By End-use, Region- Global Industry Analysis, Share, Growth, Regional Outlook and Forecasts, 2024-2033

The global 3D printed drugs market size was exhibited at USD 73.02 million in 2023 and is projected to hit around USD 304.52 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 15.35% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2033.

Key Takeaways:

• North America dominated the regional market with a share of 40.0% in 2023.
• The zip dose segment held the highest share of the market in 2023.
• The neurology segment dominated the market with a share of 49.84% in 2023.
• The hospitals & clinics segment captured the highest revenue share of the market in 2023.

3D Printed Drugs Market Report Scope

3D printed drugs are prescriptions that are created using the 3D printing process to give individuals safe and effective tailored medications. These medications have a unitary porous architecture that disperses easily in the mouth, eliminating the need to swallow high-dose medications whole. It allows manufacturers to modify the size, look, form, and rate of distribution of a wide range of drugs with ease.

The outbreak of COVID-19  led to an increase in the use of 3D printing. The operating players in the advanced manufacturing sector have introduced several 3D printers to aid in the production of drugs and other essential products. In addition, the drug shortage experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked the attention of pharmaceutical businesses in delivering medicines swiftly by taking advantage of 3D printing technology.

The market is booming as a result of the rising demand for customized drugs and the rapidly growing R&D activities that support 3D printing. This technology is bringing up promising opportunities for improving patient care by producing personalized medical therapies. Since the establishment of the U.S. Personalized Medicine Initiative in 2015, pharmaceutical research companies have also been researching the development of more tailored therapies to make medications safer and more effective. As a result, the demand for 3D-printed drugs is anticipated to grow in the coming years.

Several factors such as increasing incidence of chronic diseases, rising need for less expensive pharmaceuticals or tablets, and increasing applicability of 3D printing in the healthcare sectors are also contributing to the market growth. The 3D-printed pharmaceuticals are becoming more widely recognized as they are easy to ingest and soluble almost immediately. Moreover, they can be personalized to each patient's specific needs, supporting patients in a better way compared to batch-produced drugs. Therefore, the market for these drugs is predicted to rise during the projection period.

Increased investments by operating players for the production of advanced and effective 3D printed pharmaceuticals along with breakthroughs in 3D printing technology are likely to support market growth throughout the projected timeframe. For instance, in March 2022, CurfiyLabs and Natural Machines collaborated on the manufacturing of these medicine as per patients’ customized needs. This is expected to allow pharmacies and hospitals to receive medicines in a faster timeline.

Additionally, new players are entering the market with sophisticated technologies to meet the growing demand and capture untapped avenues of the market. For instance, FabRX uses its patented methods to provide tailored medications and drug-loaded medical devices. In addition, personalized dosage, polypills, chewy drugs, and fast-dissolving tablets are all available through the company's exclusive Print lets technology. Stereolithography is also being used to produce drug-loaded medical devices at the company.

Segments Insights:

Technology Insights

The zip dose segment held the highest share of the market in 2023. This drug technology is easy to use and beneficial to patients with dysphagia. Furthermore, an increasing requirement among geriatric & pediatric patients for rapid soluble drugs that disperse quickly in the mouth drives the market growth.

Inkjet printer technology, on the other hand, is anticipated to expand at the fastest rate during the projected period. As it generates 3D drugs at a steady rate and has technological superiorities over other techniques, it has a high adoption rate among patients. Inkjet printing is a method of depositing three-dimensional shapes in solid dosage forms by spraying various combinations of active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients (inks) through a nozzle. Furthermore, increased epilepsy incidences continued technological advancements in 3D printing technology, and expanding awareness of this technology in emerging nations are primary market growth drivers.

Application Insights

The neurology segment dominated the market with a share of 49.84% in 2023. In August 2015, the U.S. FDA approved Aprecia Pharmaceutical’s SPRITAM (levetiracetam) tablets for the treatment of people with epilepsy. This is the only approved drug available on the market. This approval has gained the attention of pharmaceutical companies to invest in this segment thereby propelling the market growth.

The segment is also propelled by an increase in the prevalence of various neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. In an article published in April 2022, a team of scientists from Germany and the Netherlands used 3D printing technology for the manufacturing of Mini-Floating-Polypill as a therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) was used for this study. Such research efforts are anticipated to supplement the segment growth.

On the other hand, orthopedic procedures are complex & tough, and new approaches are needed to overcome a slew of known issues and better patient outcomes. In addition, complications, particularly the high rate of infection, frequently result in extended patient suffering and functional loss. Thus, orthopedic drugs can be used to combat postoperative infections, hence, propelling the market growth.

End-use Insights

The hospitals & clinics segment captured the highest revenue share of the market in 2023. The widespread use of prescription pills to treat a variety of chronic diseases is moving the market for personalized pharmaceuticals forward. The segment is also being driven by the growing demand for pharmaceuticals and the cost-effective use of bio-drugs employing this technology.

Furthermore, in hospitals and clinics, these printers can be installed to enable the on-demand manufacturing of medications, specifically those with poor stability or that need to be stored in a cold chain. Additionally, it can considerably save expenses, waste, and environmental strain. These factors are anticipated to increase the adoption of 3D-printed drugs among hospitals and clinics.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the regional market with a share of 40.0% in 2023. This major share can be attributed to an increased incidence of chronic diseases, the presence of excellent domestic healthcare infrastructure, strong investment in R&D, and the expanding use of technological developments in the North America region.

The Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing region due to significant developments by China and Japan in the technological integration of 3D printed drug methodologies. Moreover, the development of healthcare infrastructure, R&D, and clinical development frameworks of emerging economies such as India and Australia have poised the Asia Pacific market to witness lucrative opportunities and growth throughout the forecast period.

Some of the prominent players in the 3D printed drugs market include:

• Aprecia
• Extend Biosciences
• Bioduro
• Affinity Therapeutics
• Osmotica Pharmaceuticals
• Aprecia Pharmaceuticals LLC
• GlaxoSmithKline Plc
• FabRx Ltd
• Hewlett Packard Caribe
• Merck
• Cycle Pharmaceuticals
• AstraZeneca

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2023 to 2033. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the global 3D printed drugs market.

Technology

• Inkjet Printing
• Fused Deposition Modeling
• Stereolithography
• ZipDose Technology

Application

• Orthopedic
• Neurology
• Dental
• Others

End-use

• Hospitals & clinics
• Research Laboratories
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)