A Phase 1 clinical trial of an inhaled dry powder formulation of atropine for the treatment of nerve agent poisoning has been completed successfully, according to MicroDose Therapeutx. MicroDose subsidiary MicroDose Defense Products is developing the product for the US Department of Defense.
The study, conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, compared the pharmacokinetics of inhaled atropine delivered by the MicroDose DPI to intramuscular injection of atropine. MicroDose Senior Director, Product Commercialization Group Robert O. Cook said that the company expects further studies to demonstrate bioavailability of 85% for the inhaler relative to injection.
The military currently relies on atropine injection as an antidote for organophosphorus nerve agents. Cook points out that the DPI could provide more convenient delivery than injection, especially when multiple doses are necessary.
Read the MicroDose Therapeutx press release.
