Pulmonary Inhaler Technology and Evolving Drug Formulations Hold Promise for Systemic Drugs

Greystone Associates Analyzes Recent Developments and their Impact on the Market for Inhaled Drug Therapeutics

[USPRwire, Mon May 17 2010] Interest in oral sprays for systemic drug delivery has increased dramatically in the last five years, driven by the need to develop new alternatives to oral delivery for protein and peptide-based drugs, and the belief that pulmonary or deep lung drug delivery may lead to greater drug efficacy, speed of action, safety, and patient compliance. Systemic inhaled drug delivery leverages the patient-friendly device characteristics and favorable pharmacodynamics of inhalation administration to deliver drugs systemically. Inhaled pulmonary delivery also has the potential for faster onset of action and less frequent dosing relative to oral drugs.

The inhalation market for systemic drug delivery is somewhat unique because of the way in which the technology and IP for inhalers designed to deliver aerosolized and powder drugs to the deep lung are concentrated in a relatively small group of companies. This is in large part due to the reliance on particle engineering and the dependence on deep lung inspiratory flow characteristics, technical areas that are relatively unique and incorporate several elements of applied engineering and empirical development. With the exception of a handful of very large inhaled drug players with captive capabilities, there is a broad reliance on a core group of device developers and technology consultancies specializing in drug particle and aerosol development and inhaler design.

More than forty drugs formulated for systemic delivery by inhalation are currently in development for two dozen distinct diseases and conditions. The majority are small molecule APIs that avoid several of the technological and physiological risk factors associated with delivering biological drugs.

More information on these events and trends is available in a recently-published report researched and written by Greystone Associates. Pulmonary Inhalers & Systemic Drug Delivery contains analysis of pulmonary inhaler devices and drug-device combination products at various stages of commercialization, assessments of fifteen therapeutic segments, market data, forecasts and company profiles.

More information is available at www.greystoneassociates.org .

About Greystone

Greystone Associates is a medical technology consulting firm focused on the areas of medical market strategy, product commercialization, venture development, and market research. We assist medical and healthcare market participants in achieving their business objectives through the creation of detailed development strategies, product commercialization programs, and comprehensive market and technology research and analysis. Our market research publications are designed, researched and written to provide timely and insightful information and data on focused market segments, with the aim of providing market participants with the essential knowledge to refine and execute their marketing plans and financial targets.

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Source: Greystone Associates