The CDMO Kindeva is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI), a breakthrough therapy that transformed respiratory care across the world.
The pMDI was introduced to the market in 1956 as a portable and efficient alternative to fragile squeeze-bulb nebulisers.
It quickly became the most widely accepted method for treating asthma and managing exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
By the 1980s, asthma-related death rates had reportedly declined significantly due to its use.
Additionally, the inventors of the device, Kindeva alumni George Maison, Irving Porush and Charles Thiel, will be officially inducted into the 'National Inventors Hall of Fame.'
The trio were chosen by a panel of experts whose expertise spans science, technology, engineering and the patent industry and who seek to recognise individuals who have pioneered innovative solutions to "improve societal well-being."
They will now stand alongside other famous innovators in the sector, such as Frederick Banting and Charles Best, the creators of Isolated insulin and Emmanuelle Charpentier, the co-developer of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.
Jeremy Tidmarsh, Vice President of Kindeva's MDI business unit, said: "From its very beginnings, Kindeva (formerly Riker Laboratories/3M Drug Delivery Systems) set out to discover and manufacture life-saving treatments that will make a real impact on patient lives."
It is a great honour for our former colleagues George, Irving and Charles to be nominated amongst some of the most inspiring and influential figures in American history.
"We look forward to celebrating all that they have accomplished on the night."
Kindeva continues to support the innovation of pMDIs and recently inaugurated its centre of excellence in Loughborough, UK, in September 2025.
Tidmarsh continued: "While we celebrate this landmark achievement, our focus is on the future: delivering next-generation propellants that will improve patient lives, help manufacturers meet global sustainability standards and demonstrate Kindeva's commitment to ongoing innovation in a dynamic marketplace."