During its presentation at the 2011 Morgan Stanley Global Healthcare Conference on September 14, Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company (SPARC) provided a detailed report on the development of its Starhaler dry powder inhaler and announced that it plans to file an investigational new drug (IND) application in the US in 2012. The company, which co-developed the device with Cambridge Consultants, said that it had already completed a pre-IND meeting.
A fluticasone/salmeterol combination delivered using the Starhaler device has already been registered in India and is expected to launch there in the 3rd quarter of FY 12, according to the presentation. Data presented at the conference show that the DPI provides “Equivalent clinical efficacy at ‘half the dose’ of Seretide Accuhaler.” The data also show 40-50% less oropharyngeal deposition for the Starhaler compared to the Accuhaler.
The DPI holds 60 pre-metered doses and has user-friendly touches like a glow-in-the-dark feature to help patients locate it in the dark, a button that pops out when only 8 doses remain, and audible feedback for completion of delivery steps.
View the SPARC slide presentation.
