Aptar Pharma, a global leader in drug delivery systems, services, and active material science solutions, announced that they have agreed with Pharmaxis, a clinical-stage drug developer, under which the company has the option to acquire the worldwide rights to Pharmaxis’ proprietary high payload dry powder inhaler, Orbital.
As part of the agreement, Aptar will evaluate the commercial applications for the Orbital device and further develop the prototype device to meet unmet market needs. Pharmaxis retains the rights to devices containing Orbital intellectual property used to deliver inhaled mannitol.
The Orbital technology is built on Pharmaxis patents, allowing powder payloads of up to 400mg or more to be inhaled by patients in divided doses without reloading. This unique platform was initially developed as a life cycle extending product for the Pharmaxis cystic fibrosis drug Bronchitol. However, it also meets an increasing global need to deliver high doses of other drugs, such as antibiotics, to the lungs.
Aptar Pharma to expand its range of drugs for inhalation
Howard Burnett, Vice President Global Pulmonary Category, Aptar, commented, “We are pleased to partner with Pharmaxis on this novel technology, which continues the development of the company’s industry-leading portfolio of devices for inhalation. Coupled with our broad services offering, we will seek to expand the range of drugs administered by inhalation.”
“I am delighted with the forthcoming partnership with Aptar Pharma, which is one of the world’s foremost drug delivery device companies. In their hands, we hope to fully exploit the potential of the Orbital technology in other drugs and secure a return on the work we have already completed,” commented Pharmaxis CEO Gary Phillips.
“The Orbital Inhaler is an innovative new device that eliminates the need for manual reloading of multiple powders containing capsules needed for a single dose of a drug. This can deliver improvements in the patient experience, compliance, market share and also effectively extend the patent life of drugs that use the device.”
