While acknowledging the 60th anniversary of the metered dose inhaler, the 27th annual Drug Delivery to the Lungs meeting devoted much of its program to looking forward beyond conventional devices, formulations, and targets. More than 700 delegates to DDL 27, held December 7-9 at the Edinburgh International Conference Center, heard presentations focused on the use of connected devices to improve adherence, the possibility of a new MDI propellant, and new formulation and analytical technologies for drugs aimed at asthma, COPD, and other targets.
In her plenary lecture, titled “The European Asthma Research & Innovation Partnership – tackling Europe’s high asthma prevalence and death rates,” Asthma UK Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Research & Policy Samantha Walker described the organization’s work on the European Asthma Research and Innovation Partnership (EARIP) to define research priorities for asthma in the EU.
Samantha Walker of Asthma UK speaks at the eMDI launch
According to Walker, the eight EARIP committees have identified four main priority areas, which are: personalized medicine, triggers and risk factors for asthma and exacerbations, self-management and adherence, and primary care and public health. Within those 4 main groups, they have identified 15 research priorities. Among the needs identified as necessary for achieving those goals are a better understanding of asthma mechanisms and the use of digital platforms for improved adherence, as detailed in its “Connected Asthma” report.
Asthma UK’s research strategy for the next five years includes funding two asthma research centers in the UK and increasing patient and public involvement with research, and Walker encouraged the industry to take advantage of the organization’s resources.
