The approximately 800 million inhalers sold annually worldwide generate approximately 10,000 tons of waste, estimates Graham Purkins of Novartis, a member of the the Device Working Group of IPAC-RS. In response to growing concern from consumers, clinicians, and manufacturers, the working group has undertaken a project to begin a conversation among inhaler designers … [Read more...] about Moving toward a greener inhaler
News
Eisai to co-promote Novartis COPD drugs in Japan
Tokyo-based Eisai will co-promote three Novartis inhaled COPD therapies in Japan with Novartis Pharma K.K. Starting on December 1, 2011, both companies will promote Onbrez indacaterol inhalation capsules, with Novartis targeting flagship and university hospitals and Eisai focusing on general hospitals and clinicians. Onbrez was launched in Japan in September 2011. … [Read more...] about Eisai to co-promote Novartis COPD drugs in Japan
Single batch of Omnaris nasal spray recalled in Hong Kong
According to the Hong Kong Department of Health (DH), Nycomed (Hong Kong) has voluntarily recalled a batch of Omnaris ciclesonide nasal spray due "a quality defect." The product, from batch number 137930, was manufactured in Germany by Nycomed Gmbh in August 2010. The DH says that it was notified by Nycomed Gmbh that it had found pinholes in some of the foil … [Read more...] about Single batch of Omnaris nasal spray recalled in Hong Kong
Almirall and Forest initiate Phase 3 trial of aclidinium/formoterol DPI
Two Phase 3 studies to evaluate the safety of twice daily doses of a fixed dose combination dry powder formulation of aclidinium bromide and formoterol fumarate in 3,500 patients with moderate to severe COPD have been initiated by Almirall and its US partner, Forest Laboratories. The 24-week studies are taking place in Europe and North America, along with a 52-week … [Read more...] about Almirall and Forest initiate Phase 3 trial of aclidinium/formoterol DPI
Positive results for intranasal Ampion
Ampio Pharmaceuticals has announced results of a randomized, double-blinded study of its intranasal Ampion, a biologic anti-inflammatory, for the treatment of nasal inflammation. According to the company, Ampion "is naturally produced by humans in response to injury and is present in commercial human serum albumin (HSA) preparations." Ampio is also developing oral and … [Read more...] about Positive results for intranasal Ampion
Mylan gets Pfizer’s respiratory delivery platform, acquires global rights to generic Diskus products
US generics company Mylan Inc. has obtained worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize Pfizer's generic equivalent to GlaxoSmithKline's Advair Diskus and Seretide Diskus products for asthma and COPD using Pfizer's proprietary dry powder inhalation technology. Pfizer will also allow Mylan to develop and commercialize other DPI products using the … [Read more...] about Mylan gets Pfizer’s respiratory delivery platform, acquires global rights to generic Diskus products
Discovery Labs announces progress on inhaled therapies
Within the last week, Discovery Laboratories has announced that its aerosolized KL4 surfactant has received orphan drug designation from the EU for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, and it has presented data on a new product, Afectair, which it calls "a series of proprietary ventilator circuit/patient interface connectors and related componentry" that "simplifies the … [Read more...] about Discovery Labs announces progress on inhaled therapies
Positive Phase 3 results for ciclesonide nasal aerosol for perennial allergic rhinitis
Sunovion is presenting results from a 26-week double-blind, randomized Phase 3 study of ciclesonide HFA nasal aerosol involving more than 1,100 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) that showed statistically significant improvement in nasal symptoms for ciclesonide compared to placebo. The study demonstrated positive results for both a 74 mcg dose and a 148 … [Read more...] about Positive Phase 3 results for ciclesonide nasal aerosol for perennial allergic rhinitis
Catalent joins IPAC-RS
CRO Catalent Pharma Solutions has joined the International Pharmaceutical Aerosol Consortium on Regulation and Science (IPAC-RS), a consortium of companies involved in the development, manufacture, and marketing of OINDPs, whose mission is "to advance scientifically driven approaches to enhancing product quality of inhaled and intranasal drug products." Other IPAC-RS … [Read more...] about Catalent joins IPAC-RS
US Senate votes down bill that would have banned enforcement of the CFC inhaler phaseout
US Senator Jim DeMint, a Republican from South Carolina, failed to persuade the US Senate to prohibit the use of tax dollars for enforcement of the FDA ban on the CFC-propelled OTC epinephrine inhaler Primatene Mist. The Senate voted 54-44 against DeMint's bill. DeMint expressed outrage at the outcome of the vote: “Fifty-four Senators voted to appease extreme … [Read more...] about US Senate votes down bill that would have banned enforcement of the CFC inhaler phaseout