Aerogen Pharma and Lyomark Pharma have announced a partnership for development and commercialization of AP-002, a nasally-inhaled surfactant based on Lyomark’s Alveofact bovine lung surfactant for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in pre-term infants. According to Aerogen, the company has also initiated a Phase 2 study of AP-002 in Australia, with results expected in mid-2018.
Alveofact is currently marketed as a treatment for RDS in 27 countries. The companies say that AP-002, as a nebulized surfactant delivered by Aerogen’s PDAP system, would reduce side effects associated with existing lung surfactant delivery methods, which involve sedation, intubation, and mechanical ventilation.
Aerogen Pharma Corporation VP and General Manager Andy Clark commented, “We are grateful to the dedicated Australian medical teams involved in our first clinical investigation of AP-002, which has the potential to be a major advance in the care of these precious and highly vulnerable patients.”
Lyomark Pharma Managing Director Malik Malocho said, “While surfactant therapy saves lives, today’s invasive methods of administration are often associated with adverse side effects that limit its use. We believe that Lyomark’s drug and Aerogen’s delivery system, in combination, will uniquely benefit patients by avoiding these complications and limitations.”
