MannKind Corporation will assume the lease for a Pulmatrix research laboratory located in Bedford, MA, USA, and Pulmatrix will transfer the facility, including all laboratory equipment, to MannKind, the companies said. MannKind says that it plans to hire some of the Pulmatrix personnel who have been working at the lab.
In addition, MannKind will acquire the rights to use Pulmatrix’s iSPERSE dry powder inhalation technology for specified indications, including exclusive licenses for its use in clofazamine for NTM and insulin for diabetes. In return, Pulmatrix will acquire a license to use MannKind’s Cricket DPI device for delivery of its dry powder dihydroergotamine (DHE) for the treatment of migraine. The deal does not include any cash, and the licenses exchanged are perpetual and royalty-free.
Pulmatrix CEO Ted Raad commented, “MannKind’s interest in iSPERSE validates the enablement potential of our innovative particle engineering dry powder technology. In addition, the assumption of our lease and laboratory by MannKind helps extend our cash runway further into 2026. We are able to build upon this agreement to further support development of PUR3100 and its potential application with MannKind’s Cricket device to develop the first orally inhaled DHE treatment for acute migraine.”
MannKind CEO Michael Castagna commented, “We are delighted to grow our Boston-area presence as we continue to progress our pipeline efforts, and in particular, our expanding orphan lung programs. We have formulated two FDA-approved products utilizing our proven Technosphere dry powder technology, and this agreement affords us access to another option for future development opportunities.”
MannKind Executive VP, Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer Burkhard Blank explained, “Our Technosphere technology, which is a unique carrier-based, dry powder inhalation platform used in tandem with our proprietary inhaler, provides deep and effective penetration of lung tissue that is well suited for many active ingredients. However, for some drug candidates, such as clofazimine, that may require a significantly higher drug payload, the iSPERSE formulation technology may be better suited for developing viable powders.”
Read the MannKind Corporation press release.
Read the Pulmatrix press release.
