Alliance to Expand Use of Inhaler Technology

Expanded use of new inhaler technology is the result of a new agreement between Inhale Therapeutic Systems, Inc. (San Carolos, CA, USA) and Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp. (San Diego, CA, USA).

Alliance developed the PulmoSpheres technology, a particle formation method designed to enhance the performance of drugs delivered via the lung in propellant-based metered-dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers, aspects of which Inhale acquired under an agreement made with Alliance in 1999. An expansion of this agreement now allows Inhale to use the technology for alternative methods of delivery in addition to inhaleable applications. Also, Alliance has assigned to Inhale five new patent applications covering methods of producing microparticles. Alliance retains the rights to use the PulmoSpheres technology on products to be instilled directly into the lung, and obtains the rights to commercialize up to four products administered with inhalers.

"Inhale has been very pleased with the performance of the PulmoSpheres technology for inhaled products,” said Ajit Gill, president and CEO of Inhale. "We have seen improved efficiency and reproducibility results in several clinical trials covering inhaled tobramycin for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, inhaled budesonide for the treatment of
asthma, and inhaled leuprolide for the treatment of prostate cancer and endometriosis.”




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