Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) as a means to resolve supply issues for Genomics products in Africa?

- We are working extensively with sites across the African continent, in a number of Genomics projects.

- While the typical problem someone in the US or Europe may identify when contemplating such activities is lack of key skills (wet- or dry-lab related), the bottom-line is that major issues are often more down to earth.

- One of the key challenges we have seen is quality and consistency of supply, including 'basic' goods (consumables) such as tubes or microtitreplates: It can be difficult to bring ‘stuff’ into a country reliably and cost-effectively.

- We have started to assess the possibility of using 3D printing for the production of small-volume consumables and pieces of hardware. Additive manufacturing is incredibly versatile and, from a cost/benefit point of view lends itself to producing reasonably complex designs at low volume (such as a 96-well microtiter plate).

- This would deal with issues of supply because (i) printing hardware ought to be imported only once, (ii) it is relatively easy to maintain, (iii) the design of products can be outsourced, if necessary, (iv) the materials used for printing can be acquired in bulk (also dealing with the issue of bringing in smallish quantities of 'stuff').

- A key challenge we/anyone would face in this regard is standardization.

- Nevertheless, the business model we’d like to see evolve is the bio-manufacturing equivalent of a Zara, not H&M.

- What would the African biotech scene look like with a diversity of mass customization manufacturers, instead of no or only very few high-volume producers?

- Anyone out there with ideas or suggestions in this respect, I’d appreciate your thoughts.

- Feel free to contact me via LinkedIn!