DevPro Biopharma and Bespak have announced the completion of early feasibility studies on DP007, a new formulation of albuterol in a pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) which shows comparable performance to Ventolin HFA but with a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
This breakthrough pMDI is being developed by DevPro Biopharma, a respiratory-focused clinical development accelerator and Bespak, a contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) focused on orally inhaled and nasal drug-device combination products.
Clinical studies are planned to be initiated by the end of the year to fast-track its development, as the pharmaceutical industry begins to accelerate its transition to climate-friendly respiratory care.
The preliminary results will be presented on May 18, 2024, at the 2024 Respiratory Innovation Summit, hosted by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) during their 2024 International Conference at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA.
DP007's market potential
The new formulation has the potential to enhance the treatment of respiratory disease by reducing the global warming potential (GWP) impact of albuterol inhalers such as Ventolin, the most commonly prescribed inhaler type globally.
It’s expected to be commercialised by mid-2027 to meet the requirements of the US phasedown of fluorinated gases under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020.(1)
The innovative formulation is being developed by Bespak at its Research Triangle Park, NC research facility under the terms of an exclusive agreement with DevPro Biopharma.
The new formulation contains Honeywell’s Solstice Air (HFO-1234ze(E) cGMP), a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) propellant that has 99.9% less global warming potential than current HFAs and is in clinical development for pMDI products.
Colin Reisner, CEO of DevPro Biopharma, said: “Albuterol pMDIs account for approximately 45% of all pMDIs used worldwide, contributing substantially to global warming. In the US, about 60m prescriptions are written annually for albuterol pMDIs producing emissions equivalent to more than 200,000 passenger vehicles. There is an urgent need to develop a low-GWP albuterol pMDI to reduce the environmental impact of the life-saving inhalers patients need, without sacrificing performance or ease-of-use. Working with Bespak, we are excited about the results we have seen with DP007 showing comparable performance with Ventolin HFA.”