Valois targets compliance with equadel add-ons

Valois Pharma has informed in-PharmaTechnologist that it is developing a range of add-ons for its equadel nasal drug delivery device, which the company believes will help improve patient compliance.

Herve Pacaud, director of pump business development, explained at this year's Pharmapack that an electric dose counter and side activation add-on are in development.

The add-ons are due to be presented for the first time in the next few months, according to Pacaud. He went on to say that side activated devices can increase patient compliance as they are more comfortable and convenient.

The big issue - compliance

Compliance has been a big issue at this year's Pharmapack in Paris, with many companies showcasing their solutions aimed at tackling the problem.

Valois is now seeking to improve its offering in this field by building upon its equadel device, which Pacaud said ensures delivery of "the right dose at the right place."

Traditionally the dose and spray cone delivered by a device varies depending upon the pressure applied by the user. In contrast equadel delivers the same dose regardless of the actuation speed.

equadel concepts in development

Pacaud said that companies now accepted and understood the concept of equadel and products using the device are in development. However, owing to the development time of drugs no product had yet come to market.

equadel has been designed to deliver liquid solutions, suspensions and viscous formulations less than 125 cps. In addition it can be configured to administer doses of 50, 70, 100 and 120µl.

Valois has marketed the device as being beneficial to companies to extend the life cycle of their product in the face of generic competition. The company believes the device is equally suitable for use with prescription drugs and new molecular entities.