Maruho Hatsujyo Innovations (MHI), the U.S. subsidiary of Japanese healthcare company Maruho Co. Ltd., has launched a new prototyping service that creates test products from 3D printing technology. The new service makes available sample blister cavities nearly identical to final production to help save time and money compared with traditional metal tooling prototypes.

The new technology provides blister prototypes in days rather than weeks, allowing companies to try new or modified packaging platforms, including those being tested as part of stability studies. The service also allows customers to test multiple blister formulations to determine which is most suitable for particular medicines.

“MHI’s expeditious, cost-effective prototype tooling provides companies with a tremendous amount of flexibility when testing blister packaging platforms for barrier properties and other areas of variability,” said Benjamin Voelcker, Product Manager of the MPM division for MHI. “Historically, tooling lead times were measured in weeks, and prototyping was often prohibitively expensive. In reducing turnaround times and alleviating costs, our new approach allows customers the time and resources to find blister packaging solutions that best suit their products.”