Data from Boehringer Ingelheims ANHELTO 1 and ANHELTO 2 studies demonstrate that co-administration of the Spiriva HandiHaler tiotropium DPI and the Striverdi Respimat olodaterol SMI produced significantly greater improvement in the lung function of COPD patients than Spiriva alone. The company presented the data at CHEST 2014. The 12-week, double-blind studies … [Read more...] about BI study shows Spiriva Handihaler plus Striverdi Respimat superior to Spiriva alone
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Ferrer to become Alexza Pharmaceuticals’ largest shareholder
Grupo Ferrer Internacional, which markets Alexza Pharmaceuticals' Adasuve inhaled loxapine in the EU, Latin America, and the CIS countries, will acquire 2 million shares of Alexza common stock at $4 per share, the companies have announced. The amendment to the two companies' agreement on Adasuve will make Ferrer the largest shareholder in Alexza and includes … [Read more...] about Ferrer to become Alexza Pharmaceuticals’ largest shareholder
Ferring reacquires rights to desmopressin nasal spray
Ferring Pharmaceuticals has announced that it has reacquired desmopressin acetate (DDAVP), which is approved as a nasal spray and a number of other formulations, from Sanofi. Ferring originally developed desmopressin, which is a synthetic form of vasopressin and is used to reduce frequent urination among other conditions. In 2007, the FDA announced that the … [Read more...] about Ferring reacquires rights to desmopressin nasal spray
Gerresheimer opens Chinese development center
Device manufacturer Gerresheimer has announced the opening of a new development center in Dongguan City, China, where the company has been manufacturing inhalers and other drug delivery devices since 2006. The company also has development centers in Germany and the US; all three centers include design, engineering, and development to prepared devices for … [Read more...] about Gerresheimer opens Chinese development center
Iconovo raises $1 million for inhaler development
According to Swedish device developer Iconovo, the company has raised $1 million in venture capital that it will use for development of dry powder inhalation devices. The company also said that Lennart Holm, chairman of the board of BillerudKorsnäs AB, Nexam AB, and Vigmed AB has increased his equity share in Iconovo. Since Iconovo was founded in 2013 by former … [Read more...] about Iconovo raises $1 million for inhaler development
FDA approves the Flexichamber collapsible valved holding chamber
FSC Laboratories has announced that its Flexichamber collapsible valved holding chamber has received FDA clearance for use with most pMDIs. The device, which can be used with or without a mask, will be available by prescription only and will be distributed by FSC Pediatrics. FSC Pediatrics President and CEO Peter W. Steelman commented, “We developed Flexichamber, a … [Read more...] about FDA approves the Flexichamber collapsible valved holding chamber
Study shows Anoro Ellipta improves lung function better than Spiriva Handihaler
Results from a 24-week study comparing GSK's Anoro Ellipta umeclidinium /vilanterol DPI to Boehringer Ingelheim's Spiriva Handihaler tiotropium DPI published in Respiratory Medicine show statistically greater improvement in trough FEV1 and weighted mean FEV1 0 – 6 hour post dose for UMEC/VI compared to tiotropium. The study involved a total of 905 COPD patients. … [Read more...] about Study shows Anoro Ellipta improves lung function better than Spiriva Handihaler
Retrophin divests Syntocinon nasal spray to Turing Pharmaceuticals
Retrophin has announced that Turing Pharmaceuticals will pay $3 million up front for three of Retrophin's products, including Syntocinon oxytocin nasal spray and ketamine. According to the company, the agreement includes the resignation of Retrophin founder Martin Shkreli. Shkreli's Twitter profile identifies him as the CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals. The company … [Read more...] about Retrophin divests Syntocinon nasal spray to Turing Pharmaceuticals
Inhalation Sciences adds two new hires
Swedish CRO Inhalation Sciences AB (ISAB) has announced the hires of Mikael Mikko as a product specialist and Iwona Rådberg as an ex vivo and in vivo studies specialist. Mikko, who has a doctorate in pulmonary research was most recently European Technical and Support Specialist at BD Biosciences. Rådberg, formerly a research scientist at AstraZeneca, was most recently … [Read more...] about Inhalation Sciences adds two new hires
Aptuit names new General Manager of its Verona, Italy development center
Aptuit has named Manuela Leone as Executive VP, Operations and General Manager of the Aptuit Center for Drug Discovery & Development in Verona, Italy, where the company provides inhaled drug development and clinical supply manufacturing services. Leone was most recently President of Contract Research Services at Harlan Laboratories. Aptuit CEO Jonathan Goldman … [Read more...] about Aptuit names new General Manager of its Verona, Italy development center