Evonik’s Strategic Investment in Laxxon Medical: Revolutionizing Drug Delivery with 3D Printed Tablets

In a move set to transform the pharmaceutical landscape, Evonik Venture Capital, a leading force in identifying and fostering groundbreaking applications of 3D technologies, has officially announced its strategic investment in Laxxon Medical. Headquartered in Nevada, USA, Laxxon Medical stands at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation, having developed a revolutionary 3D screen-printing technology. The core objective of this collaboration is ambitious yet clear: to produce advanced 3D-printed tablets that promise to significantly enhance patient health through vastly improved and precisely controlled drug delivery mechanisms.

Evonik’s decision to invest in Laxxon was a natural progression, stemming from its extensive and rich legacy in the medical field. With decades of unparalleled experience in the development and manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and specialized excipients, Evonik brings a wealth of expertise to the partnership. Laxxon Medical’s innovative 3D screen-printing technology is a game-changer, enabling the creation of intricately structured tablets capable of controlling the release of active pharmaceutical ingredients over specific periods. Furthermore, this cutting-edge technology allows for the seamless combination of multiple active ingredients into a single, cohesive tablet, signaling a major leap forward in modern medicine and patient care.

Evonik’s Enduring Commitment to Medical Advancement

For many years, Evonik has been a steadfast innovator, consistently pushing the boundaries of medical science through its advanced technologies and its meticulous production of specialty excipients. These excipients, often inactive substances, play a crucial role as vehicles for active drugs, influencing their stability, bioavailability, and release profiles. Evonik’s research, for instance, has demonstrated how the judicious use of polymers can precisely dictate the timing of active ingredient release. This control allows for customized drug kinetics: whether a medication is released immediately upon ingestion for rapid relief, after a predetermined delay for targeted action, or consistently over an extended period for sustained therapeutic effects. Such precise control represents a monumental advancement in modern pharmacology, enabling more effective treatments and reducing potential side effects.

A Synergistic Partnership: Evonik and Laxxon Unite for Better Health

The collaboration between Evonik and Laxxon Medical is poised to significantly improve the medical market by addressing key challenges in drug delivery and patient adherence. Laxxon Medical, initially founded in 2017 in Switzerland by visionary entrepreneurs Helmut Kerschbaumer, Klaus Kühne, and Achim Schneeberger, has since established its headquarters in the USA, supported by robust German and Swiss subsidiaries. This global footprint underscores its commitment to widespread innovation.

Laxxon’s proprietary 3D screen-printing technology offers an unparalleled capability: the easy production of tablets with distinct active and inactive layers. This sophisticated structural design provides a two-fold advantage, fundamentally transforming how medications interact with the body. Firstly, it facilitates individualized release profiles for active ingredients from a single tablet. This means that, depending on a patient’s specific needs and the therapeutic requirements of the drug, the active compound can be released immediately upon swallowing, after a precise delay, or in a sustained manner over an extended period. This level of control is critical for optimizing drug effectiveness, ensuring the active ingredient reaches the bloodstream at the most opportune time and maintains therapeutic concentrations, thereby maximizing efficacy and minimizing potential adverse reactions.

Secondly, the innovative tablet design allows for the seamless integration of multiple different drugs within a single tablet. By combining various active ingredients in distinct, layered configurations, the technology enables the creation of “polypills” that can address multiple conditions or symptoms simultaneously. This advanced approach significantly reduces the overall number of pills a patient needs to take daily, which is a major factor in improving patient adherence to complex medication regimens. Enhanced adherence, in turn, leads to better treatment outcomes and overall patient well-being. Moreover, this layered approach can prevent unwanted drug interactions by ensuring each ingredient is released at its optimal time and location within the body.

Accelerated Production and Market Expansion through 3D Printing

Beyond the benefits for drug delivery, Laxxon’s technology introduces a critical advantage in manufacturing efficiency. The printing speed achieved through Laxxon’s 3D screen-printing process is remarkably faster compared to other established 3D printing technologies currently used in the pharmaceutical sector. This enhanced speed is not merely an incremental improvement; it holds the potential to enable large-scale, mass production of complex 3D-printed tablets. Such an advancement could revolutionize pharmaceutical manufacturing by making personalized medicine scalable and cost-effective, thus moving beyond niche applications to widespread availability.

The implications for pharmaceutical companies are profound. This technology offers a unique opportunity to expand and strengthen existing drug patents by developing improved drug delivery formulations. By innovating how active ingredients are released and combined, companies can extend the lifecycle of their products, offering superior therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, the ability to rapidly produce specialized medications could significantly mitigate the risk of drug shortages, a persistent challenge in global healthcare. The flexibility and speed of Laxxon’s technology present a pathway to a more resilient and responsive pharmaceutical supply chain, ensuring that patients have access to the medications they need, when they need them.

Bernhard Mohr, the visionary head of Evonik Venture Capital, expressed his profound enthusiasm for the new medical possibilities unlocked by this investment. He commented, “This technology is truly great for patients. We anticipate fewer side effects due to a more controlled and predictable drug delivery, and the reduction in the number of pills a patient needs to take significantly lowers the risk of forgetting doses throughout the day.” Mohr further emphasized Evonik’s commitment, adding that they are excited to actively support innovations that bring tangible benefits to people’s health and enhance their quality of life. This sentiment underscores Evonik’s strategic alignment with healthcare solutions that prioritize patient well-being.

Evonik Takes the Reins: Manufacturing 3D-Printed Tablets for Laxxon

A cornerstone of this strategic partnership is Evonik’s commitment to take on the manufacturing responsibilities for Laxxon’s innovative 3D-printed tablets. This crucial aspect is detailed within a comprehensive joint product development and cooperation agreement. Given that Laxxon’s 3D technology has the potential to drastically reduce the amount of medication a patient needs to take, Evonik’s role in production is pivotal. Under this agreement, Evonik’s specialized products and materials will be seamlessly integrated into Laxxon’s proprietary printing pastes, ensuring optimal performance and consistency in the 3D printing process. Both companies have expressed immense satisfaction with the synergy and future potential of this collaboration.

Helmut Kerschbaumer, CEO of Laxxon Medical, articulated his delight with the partnership, stating, “Evonik is the perfect partner to support the development of tablets with unique release properties.” He further elaborated, “We are incredibly happy to have one of the world’s leading specialty chemicals companies on our side, with whom we can not only further develop our groundbreaking products but also commercially manufacture them on a larger scale.” This statement highlights the critical blend of Evonik’s manufacturing prowess and Laxxon’s technological innovation.

Within the expansive Evonik Group, the innovation growth areas of Healthcare Solutions and Additive Manufacturing will be central to the development and production of these advanced 3D-printed tablets. This internal synergy demonstrates Evonik’s comprehensive approach to leveraging its diverse expertise. Evonik maintains a strong optimistic outlook, believing that the collaboration with Laxxon Medical will significantly accelerate its market activities in this vital and rapidly emerging sector. The timing is particularly opportune, as drug delivery systems are increasingly evolving towards greater precision and becoming more intricately tailored to the specific needs of diverse patient groups. This partnership positions both companies at the forefront of the personalized medicine revolution, promising a future where treatments are not just effective, but also perfectly adapted to each individual’s biological profile and lifestyle. For more in-depth information, the official press release can be found HERE.

The Future of Pharmaceutical Innovation with 3D Printing

The investment by Evonik Venture Capital in Laxxon Medical marks a significant milestone in the journey towards advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing and personalized medicine. By combining Evonik’s deep industrial expertise and leadership in specialty chemicals with Laxxon’s pioneering 3D screen-printing technology, the partnership is set to unlock unprecedented possibilities in drug delivery. This collaboration is not just about creating new pills; it’s about reimagining the entire therapeutic experience for patients, making medication more effective, safer, and easier to manage. As the pharmaceutical industry continues to embrace the transformative power of additive manufacturing, this alliance stands as a beacon of innovation, driving the evolution of healthcare towards a future where customized, high-precision treatments are the standard.