Generex has received a patent from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for its aerosol drug delivery platform, its 162nd patent for the technology. Although the company announcement emphasizes its buccal delivery platform, the patent is titled Aerosol Formulations for Buccal and Pulmonary Application. Generex's Oral-lyn buccal insulin spray is delivered via … [Read more...] about Generex gets another Canadian patent for aerosol formulations
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Westech announces launch of new Novi inhaler testing system
Westech Scientific Instruments is now offering the Vertus MDI Actuation Station, a "shake and fire" system for inhaler testing from automation firm Novi. The system offers programmable agitation, encrypted data transfer, and the ability to connect to measurement devices including the ACI, NGI, or DUSA. Read the Westech product release. … [Read more...] about Westech announces launch of new Novi inhaler testing system
Cypress Bioscience to merge with Ramius and Royalty Pharma
The board of Cypress Bioscience has agreed to be acquired by investment companies Ramius and Royalty Pharma for $6.50 per share, a total value of more than $250 million. In August 2010, Cypress acquired two OINDPs: Staccato nicotine for smoking cessation from Alexza and intranasal carbetocin for the treatment of autism symptoms from Marina Biotech (formerly Nastech). … [Read more...] about Cypress Bioscience to merge with Ramius and Royalty Pharma
Aptuit closing two facilities in Scotland
CRO Aptuit is planning to close two facilities where it conducts early stage development work on inhalation products. According to a spokesperson, all work currently in progress at the Livingston and Riccarton sites, both in Edinburgh, Scotland, will be completed, and other Aptuit sites will continue to provide similar services. Reportedly, the closures could cost up … [Read more...] about Aptuit closing two facilities in Scotland
Pulmatrix gets $5.7 million grant, hires new CBO
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded a $5.7 million grant to Pulmatrix for development of inhaled cationic airway lining modulator (iCALM) products to protect military personnel and civilians against airborne diseases. Read the press release on the grant. Pulmatrix also announced the hire of Eva Jack, formerly of MedImmune, as its new … [Read more...] about Pulmatrix gets $5.7 million grant, hires new CBO
Robert A. Ingram appointed Chairman of Valeant Board
William M. Wells has resigned as Chairman of the Board of Valeant Pharmaceuticals and has been replaced by Robert A. Ingram. Valeant subsidiary Biovail is co-devloping the Staccato loxapine inhaler with Alexza Pharmaceuticals. The FDA issued a complete response letter for Staccato loxapine in October 2010. The announcement comes less than two weeks after Elan … [Read more...] about Robert A. Ingram appointed Chairman of Valeant Board
Luitpold acquires Roxro and its Sprix nasal spray
Daiichi Sankyo subsidiary Luitpold Pharmaceuticals has acquired Roxro Pharma, which specializes in intranasal delivery of analgesics. Roxro's lead product is Sprix ketorolac tromethamine nasal spray for short-term pain management. Sprix received FDA approval in May 2010 but has not yet been marketed. Read the company's press release. … [Read more...] about Luitpold acquires Roxro and its Sprix nasal spray
Cambridge Consultants and Sun launch new DPI at DDL
A new DPI designed for Sun Pharma by Cambridge Consultants has been on display at DDL 21. The inhaler is designed to work with carrier formulations and, according to the companies, reduces deposition in throat to such an extent that it can be loaded with approximatley half the API necessary for a traditional inhaler dose. The device also features a dose counter and a … [Read more...] about Cambridge Consultants and Sun launch new DPI at DDL
Court rules FDA has no authority to regulate e-cigarettes as drug/device combinations
The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit has upheld a lower court finding that the FDA lacks the authority to regulate e-cigarettes. The agency had asserted that it had jurisdication and issued warning letters to five e-cigarette manufacturers in September, 2010. Read the opinion. … [Read more...] about Court rules FDA has no authority to regulate e-cigarettes as drug/device combinations
Decision Resources predicts Spiriva will increase market share for COPD
According to a study by Decision Resources, primary care physicians prefer Boehringer Ingelheim's Spiriva to other first-line COPD treatments, with 44% surveyed saying they would increase their use of the drug in the next few years. That percentage is down from 59% in 2009. Read the company's press release. … [Read more...] about Decision Resources predicts Spiriva will increase market share for COPD