Business

The European Patent Office has granted a patent for the XCaps dry powder inhaler, Hovione has announced. The company filed for the patent in June 2011. Hovione VP Peter Villax, who co-invented the inhaler, commented, “We give our customers an edge in speed of development because we are perhaps the only independent company developing DPIs with expertise in every … [Read more...] about Hovione granted new European patent for XCaps inhaler

According to Insmed Incorporated both the US and European patent offices are granting new patents related to the company's Arikace liposomal amikacin for inhalation to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients and for non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lung infections. The company says that the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) … [Read more...] about Insmed gets two new patents for Arikace

Inhaler monitoring specialist Asthmapolis has announced that the company has changed its name to Propeller Health. The company said that the name change reflects a widening focus that includes products for inhaled COPD medications as well as asthma medications and that Propeller plans to offer additional asthma and COPD mobile apps and additional snap-on inhaler … [Read more...] about Asthmapolis renames itself “Propeller Health”

Capsugel will acquire Bend Research for an undisclosed amount, the companies have announced. Bend will become part of Capsugel's Dosage Form Solutions (DFS) business unit. Although the press release highlights Capsugel's new "access to a premier suite of technologies to address customers’ most pressing formulation challenges for oral drug delivery," both companies … [Read more...] about Capsugel to acquire Bend Research

Swedish pharmaceutical company Meda has agreed to acquire Massachusetts-based Acton Pharmaceuticals for $135 million plus a $10 million milestone payment and royalty milestones. According to Acton, the deal could be worth up to $200 million. Acton's products include the Aerospan flunisolide metered dose inhaler for the treatment of asthma, which was approved by the … [Read more...] about Meda to acquire Acton Pharmaceuticals

Opthalmic and injectables manufacturer Akorn will acquire Hi-Tech Pharmacal for $640 million in cash, the companies said. Hi-Tech Pharmacal's products include generic albuterol inhalation solution and fluticasone nasal spray, plus several OTC intranasal products. The company also offers contract manufacturing for a variety of dosage forms including inhalation … [Read more...] about Hi-Tech Pharmacal to be acquired by Akorn

Lightlake Therapeutics has announced that the US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) wiill sponsor a Phase 1 pharmacokinetic study of Lightlake's intranasal naloxone. If the results of the study are positive, the company said, NIDA will file an IND for further studies, with the goal of an FDA approval for intranasal naloxone for the reversal of opioid overdose … [Read more...] about Lightlake Therapeutics announces collaboration with the National Institute on Drug Abuse

Aegis Therapeutics has announced that it has received New Zealand Patent No. 5937828 for fast acting formulations of triptans that can be administered as nasal, buccal, or sublingual sprays. The company's Intravail formulations have been shown to reach therapeutic levels in the blood 20 to 30 times faster than currently marketed triptan tablets and nasal sprays. … [Read more...] about Aegis gets third patent for intranasal triptan formulations

Adamis Pharmaceuticals has announced that it will exclusively license and then acquire 3M's Taper API-only dry powder inhaler. The company said that "Upon completion of development and clinical activities required to obtain required regulatory approval, Adamis will seek to compete for a share of the Advair market with a branded generic version utilizing 3M's Taper DPI … [Read more...] about Adamis acquires Taper DPI from 3M