PrinterPrezz Expands Global Footprint into the Asia-Pacific Market

PrinterPrezz, Inc., an industry leader in combining polymer and metal 3D printing, nanotechnologies, and surgical expertise to design and manufacture next-generation medical devices, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore collaboration opportunities for the development of 3D printed medical implants in Singapore.

Working with the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), PrinterPrezz entered into an agreement with the three national healthcare cluster groups, Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), National Healthcare Group (NHG), and National University Health System (NUHS). The agreement is intended to expand the development and adoption of implantable products leveraging its expertise in Additive Manufacturing and nanotechnologies for the healthcare sector.

Under the terms of the agreement, the parties will explore areas of collaboration in the design and development of 3D printed implantable products; R&D in musculoskeletal areas and Orthopaedics, and venture creation models in new emerging areas; and exploration of additive and advanced manufacturing processes and technologies in emerging industry sectors.

PrinterPrezz is accelerating its global expansion into the Asia-Pacific region by establishing a design and innovation team in Singapore. The company receives strong support from the Singapore government and industry, who have placed a strong emphasis on investing in advanced manufacturing technologies and capabilities to progress industry growth, including the healthcare vertical.

Shri Shetty, Founder and CEO of PrinterPrezz, said: “We have had a collaborative relationship with NAMIC since 2019 and are now in a position to expand our innovation activities and outreach to the clinical community by establishing a strong presence on the ground in Singapore. This will allow us to grow in the region from a solid base of support from the Singapore government, who understand the importance of advanced manufacturing technology and its impact on medical science.”

Professor Benjamin Seet, Deputy Group CEO (Education and Research), NHG, said, “Additive manufacturing brings us into the age of precision surgery. It is already being used for patient education, surgical planning and intra-operative guides. In the next wave, we will see customised implants and prostheses, as well as bioprinted devices. All these will result in better patient outcomes.”

Professor Chng Wee Joo, Group Director of Research, NUHS said, “NUHS and NUS have worked with Printerprezz for a few years, especially in the area of spinal implants. We are excited about the impact this continued partnership will have on the lives of patients.”

Professor Kenneth Kwek, Deputy Group CEO, Innovation & Informatics, SingHealth, said: “Changing population demographics and evolving healthcare needs emphasise the critical role of innovation and new technologies to improve clinical care and treatment outcomes as well as in enhancing the overall experience for patients and their families. 3D printing has been a game-changing technology for healthcare. Our clinical teams have been leveraging on 3D printing for preoperative planning as well as for the design and manufacture of medical devices, implants and surgical tools across diverse specialties such as cardiology, oral health, orthopaedics and radiology. SingHealth is proud to be part of this partnership with Printerprezz and NAMIC to explore applications for 3D printing in more clinical areas and develop innovative solutions that will directly benefit our patients.”

Ho Chaw Sing, co-founder and CEO of NAMIC, said: “With increased life expectancy, new treatment modalities will need to emerge to meet unique patient needs. We are pleased that Printerprezz has chosen Singapore and excited about what this expanded collaboration will bring – a close working relationship with our clinicians to realize the best ideas from napkin sketch to regulatory approval, positioning Singapore as a market leader in cost-effective patient-specific medical devices in Asia.”

About PrinterPrezz
PrinterPrezz’s mission is to bring more ideas for innovative medical devices to market faster, connecting medicine and manufacturing to become the first Medifacturing™ company in the world. By developing advanced medical devices using processes that combine expertise in 3D printing, orthopaedics, semiconductor, and nanotechnologies, PrinterPrezz’s ultimate goal is to provide medical solutions that enable people to enjoy active lives longer. PrinterPrezz’s ecosystem aims to solve challenges for various parts of the medical innovation value chain by providing prototyping, development, and manufacturing services to create life-enhancing medical devices. For more information, please visit www.printerprezz.com.

About NAMIC

The National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) is a national platform led by the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), supported by the National Research Foundation under the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, together with Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Economic Development Board. NAMIC aims to accelerate the adoption of hybrid and digital additive manufacturing technologies under Singapore’s Manufacturing and Economy 2030 Vision, helping industries transform towards innovation and high value-added manufacturing using sustainably sourced, nature-based designs and cradle-to-cradle on-demand manufacturing. NAMIC achieves this by focusing on value capture and creation through an industry sectorial engagement approach, leveraging on public-private partnerships and R&D investments, supporting translational research, and accelerating industry test-bedding towards commercial scale-up. NAMIC continues to grow its international outreach, identifying and supporting deep-tech companies incorporating AM technologies seeking capital injection either through project joint-funding or its investor networks. More information can be found at https://namic.sg.

About National Healthcare Group (NHG)

The National Healthcare Group (NHG) is a leader in public healthcare in Singapore, recognised at home and abroad for the quality of its medical expertise and facilities. Care is provided through an integrated network of seven primary care polyclinics, acute care and tertiary hospitals, national specialty centres and business divisions. Together they bring a rich legacy of medical expertise to our philosophy of integrated patient-centred care. NHG’s vision is “Adding Years of Healthy Life”. This vision goes beyond merely healing the sick to the more difficult and infinitely more rewarding task of preventing illness and preserving health and quality of life. With some 22,000 staff, NHG aims to provide care that is patient-centric, accessible, seamless, comprehensive, appropriate and cost-effective. As the Regional Health System (RHS) for Central-North Singapore, it is vital for NHG to partner and collaborate with stakeholders, community advisors, and voluntary welfare organisations. Together with our patients, their families and caregivers, we aim to deliver integrated healthcare services and programmes that help in Adding Years of Healthy Life to all concerned. More information can be found at https://corp.nhg.com.sg.

About National University Health System (NUHS)

NUHS is a leader in public healthcare in Singapore, providing quality care through an integrated network of primary care polyclinics, acute care and tertiary hospitals, national specialty centres and business divisions. It aims to improve health and reduce illness through patient-centred quality healthcare that is accessible and seamless, comprehensive, appropriate and cost-effective; in an environment of continuous learning and relevant research. More information can be found at https://www.nuhs.edu.sg/

About Singapore Health Services (SINGHEALTH) SINGHEALTH, Singapore’s largest public healthcare cluster, is committed to providing affordable, accessible and quality healthcare to patients. With a network of acute hospitals, national specialty centres, polyclinics and community hospitals offering over 40 clinical specialties, it delivers comprehensive, multi-disciplinary and integrated care. Beyond hospital walls, SingHealth partners community care providers to enable the population to keep well, get well and live well. As part of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, SingHealth also focuses on advancing education and research to continuously improve care outcomes for patients. More information can be found at https://www.singhealth.com.sg/