NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–Johnson & Johnson (J&J) announced a collaboration on May 17 between Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. and a subsidiary of Hewlett Packard Inc. (HP), focused on using 3D printing technologies to create better health care outcomes.

Brunswick-based J&J and California-based tech company HP plan to pool their scientific, clinical, material science and technological expertise to develop products that can be manufactured quickly and customized to the needs of both patients or consumers, and cost less than traditional options. 

The collaboration, which has already begun, will initially focus on personalization of instrumentation and software for patient-specific healthcare devices.

Later, it is anticipated that 3-D printing technology will lead to innovation in consumer products, orthopaedics, eye health, and other areas.

In a blogpost titled “It Takes a Village” HP’s Stephen Nigro writes: “One company can’t contain innovation to transform the manufacturing industry alone.”

“HP has been working with leading manufacturers, co-development partners and strategic partners, including Nike, BMW, Johnson & Johnson, Jabil, Siemens, Materialise, Shapeways, Autodesk, and Protolabs,” wrote Nigro.

He added that 3-D printing has the potential to usher in a new era by disrupting virtually every aspect of manufacturing, including shop-floor setup, manufacturing, assembly, supply chain, logistics, and distribution but notes that long term success requires an open platform. 

“Combined with advances in data mining and software, 3D printing could enable distributed manufacturing models and patient-specific products, therapies and solutions that deliver better outcomes, better economics and improved global accessibility, said Sandra Peterson, Group Worldwide Chairman, J&J.

Peterson added that the partnership with HP demonstrates the consumer health care giant’s commitment to utilizing technology.

“Advances in 3D printing technology have the potential to break historical paradigms of health care delivery in ways that are not feasible in traditional manufacturing processes,” said Stephen Nigro, president of HP’s 3-D printing business.

“Together with Johnson & Johnson we have the potential to create opportunities and innovations in health care to improve patients’ lives that neither company could develop alone.”

“Personal computer and printing giant HP Inc. (HPQ) announced [May 18] that it will enter the 3D printing industry in a bid to revive slumping sales,” reads a recent Investopedia.com article which also noted HP partnered with Nike Inc., Autodesk, Inc., and BMW to help bring its printers to market. 

Business Reporter at New Brunswick Today | dschatz@nb.today

Dave is an award-winning business reporter who has authored over 200 articles for New Brunswick Today.

Dave is an award-winning business reporter who has authored over 200 articles for New Brunswick Today.