Impel NeuroPharma says that a study has shown that its Pressurized Olfactory Device (POD) was preferred 2 to 1 by testers compared to conventional nasal sprays. POD delivers aerosolized drug, both liquid and powder formulations, to the upper nasal cavity, allowing delivery of therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier, according to Impel. The company says that it will present results of the first-in human pilot study at the 2012 BIO International Convention in Boston, MA on June 18-21.
Impel Chief Scientific Officer John Hoekman commented, “This is an encouraging result which indicates the POD technology can be easily utilized in clinical research and incorporated into commercial drug-device combination products. We have designed the POD device with the end user in mind. We want to ensure it is easy to use for both patients and clinical investigators.”
According to Impel, it has also received a $150,000 Phase 1 Small Business Investigational Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Drug Abuse for evaluation of a biologic analgesic, and the company has entered into agreements with 3 companies for development of CNS drugs using the POD technology.
“We are extremely pleased by the response of the pharmaceutical industry to our inventive nose-to-brain delivery technology. These collaborations validate Impel NeuroPharma’s technology in a wide range of therapeutic indications and CNS agents. Our goal is to collaborate with pharmaceutical companies who have CNS agents that can benefit from nose-to-brain delivery. Our next wave of projects will continue to broaden the range of therapeutic applications in which we can provide the greatest impact,” commented Impel CEO Michael Hite.
Read the Impel press release.
