Pulmatrix secures EU patent for dry powder delivery tech

The patent – EP 2410981 B1 – covers the Pulmatrix’s powder technology – known as iSperse – which is used formulate small molecule drugs for inhaled delivery. The firm already has patents protecting the technology in the US - 9,433,576 - and Japan.

Particles produced using the iSperse platform can be delivered using commercially available passive dry powder inhalers in either capsule or blister-based formats. Another advantage – according to Pulmatrix – is that formulations can be produced more cheaply.

CEO Robert Clarke said: “It gives us a strong intellectual property protection position in Europe as we move forward with our drug candidates in COPD, fungal infections and other diseases​.”

Manufacturing​

Pulmatrix’s drug candidates – of which a Ph II COPD drug called PUR0200 is the most advanced – is made by US Capsule and delivery technology firm Capsugel, which signed an exclusive manufacturing deal in 2016​.

Under that agreement Capsugel makes Pulmatrix’s drugs for clinical trials using spray-drying capacity at the Oregon manufacturing facility it acquired when it bought Bend Research in 2013​.  

According to a financial statement released this month, Pulmatrix plans continue chemistry manufacturing and controls (CMC) development work on PUR0200 in the first half of 2016 in preparation for a planned bioequivalence study.

The firm also said it will ask the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a pre-IND meeting in the second half of the year.

In addition, Pulmatrix said it aims to secure a development partner for PUR0200 this year.