inVentiv Health, a life science knowledge and services company, and Aprecia Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company specializing in 3D printing technology, said Wednesday they have entered into a sales and marketing alliance to commercialize Aprecia's technology platform and initial pharmaceutical products.

Aprecia’s ZipDose product platform uses 3D printing technology to create fast-melting products. ZipDose oral wafers can dissolve in less than five seconds, while delivering a drug dosage of greater than 50 mg, it noted. Aprecia said the technology makes drugs easier to administer and swallow.

It has completed clinical work and expects to file its first NDA with the FDA in the second half of this year, the company said.

inVentiv said it has directly supported the development and/or commercialization of 60 percent of all drugs approved by the FDA in the last 5 years. inVentiv will receive an undisclosed royalty from future sales, the companies said. — Kellen Owings

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