Cambridge Consultants has licensed its Conix Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) technology platform to 3M, which will try to implement this novel type of inhaler for vaccines and certain medications. Medgadget had a report about this inhaler back in 2006.
From the statement by Cambridge Consultants:
The deal gives 3M an exclusive technology license and purchase agreement to an extremely high performance drug delivery platform. Conix is capable of being used in a range of devices, from single dose mass inoculation through to a multi-unit dose suitable for routine therapies, such as asthma and COPD. The deal gives 3M complete access to the technology enabling them to deliver the next generation of DPIs.
Whilst the Conix platform technology is simple in its design, its true strength lies in an ability to deliver drug effectively to the deep lung whilst at the same time reducing upper airway deposition. The technology is based around a novel ‘reverse flow cyclone’ and contains no moving parts or propellants. The unique swirling action within the patented cyclone provides a highly effective deagglomeration process, enabling a large percentage of drug to be delivered efficiently into the lung. This action also overcomes the problem that many inhalers have, where the drug is released within just a fraction of a second, before the patient has had time to reach their optimal inhalation rate. The cyclone distributes the drug throughout the inhalation manoeuvre, enabling better use of the patient’s lung power, even where this is limited. The Conix technology has demonstrated up to 40% increases in respirable dose compared to market leading products in back-to-back trials.
Product page: Conix…
Press releases: 3M licenses Dry Powder Inhaler technology from Cambridge Consultants …; Cambridge Consultants licenses ‘Conix’ technology to 3M Drug Delivery Systems…
Flashback: Conix One Inhaler Promises to Replace Needles