Back to Newsroom
Back to Newsroom

Harvard Scientist Points to Pulmatrix's Inhaled Drug Delivery Innovation to Help Fight Lung Disease

Wednesday, 08 February 2017 10:00 AM

CEOCFO Magazine

Topic:

The Company's Innovative 'Dry Powder' Technology can Deliver up to 50 Times more Drugs to the Lungs than Current Products can, Dr. David Edwards Tells CEOCFO Magazine

TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2017 / CEOCFO Magazine, an independent investment publication that highlights important technologies and companies, today focuses on an advanced 'dry powder' technology by Pulmatrix, Inc. (NASDAQ: PULM) for delivering drugs directly to the lungs. Such an approach can dramatically help people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung illnesses, Dr. David A. Edwards, Professor of the Practice of Idea Translation at Harvard University, tells CEOCFO magazine.

To view the video, click here: https://youtu.be/t8RgU8YUtjo

Lung disease takes an enormous toll in human suffering and medical costs, Dr. Edwards explains. More than 30 million Americans suffer from COPD alone. Every day they struggle with frequent coughing, increased breathlessness, wheezing, and other symptoms.

Most COPD patients must take medications every day. As a result, inhaled drugs for COPD, such as Spiriva®, have become blockbusters, bringing in billions of dollars a year in revenue. Recent reports predict continued growth, as well as the emergence of new inhalation technologies.

Those new technologies are needed because the current inhaled drugs on the market, which work by opening up airways in the lungs to make breathing easier, have limitations, says Dr. Edwards. "They just aren't very efficient at delivering drugs to the lungs," he explains. Large amounts of drugs stick in the mouth or throat rather than getting to the lungs. In addition, says Dr. Edwards, "the fact that the drugs remain in the mouth and throat can lead to serious side effects."

That's why a number of companies have been working on innovative new approaches to increase the efficiency of drug delivery. "I'm especially impressed by the approach being developed by Pulmatrix, Inc. (NASDAQ: PULM)," says Dr. Edwards. "Their idea is to attach drugs to small particles that can 'fly' far more easily into the lungs." Such advanced 'dry powder' technology can deliver 3 to 50 times more drugs to the lungs compared to current inhalers, while dramatically reducing the amount stuck in the mouth or throat. "It's like a pill for the lungs," Dr. Edwards says.

That new approach may soon be available to fight COPD. Pulmatrix is now developing an inhaled bronchodilator product that combines the active ingredient found in Spiriva with its proprietary dry particles. Clinical trials show that the product is five times more efficient at delivering the drugs to the lungs than the currently marketed alternatives. "That should bring both good efficiency and fewer side effects - offering important benefits to COPD patients," says Dr. Edwards. "The same technology can be applied to a number of other lung diseases as well."

Contact:

Bud Wayne
Editorial Executive
CEOCFO Magazine
570-851-1745
[email protected]

SOURCE: CEOCFO Magazine

Topic:
Back to newsroom
Back to Newsroom
Share by: