3M’s Taper DPI system makes lactose carrier redundant

03-Jun-2009 - Last updated on 04-Jun-2009 at 10:52 GMT

3M Drug Delivery Technologies has expanded its respiratory drug delivery system offering with its Taper DPI which, it claims, makes carrier compounds unnecessary and will help drug formulators save millions.

As the name suggests the Taper dry powder inhaler (DPI) system uses a micro-structured carrier tape to store up to 120 metered one milligram doses of a particular active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in what, 3M believes, is a unique approach.

The firm explained that it used micro-replication and extrusion to create a dimpled tape upon which one or more APIs are coated, eliminating the need for carriers like lactose or others used in more complex powder formulations.

Inhalation triggers an impactor that strikes the tape and releases the API into the air stream where it is further broken down as it passes through the device, helping to ensure effective delivery.

3M also stressed the device’s patient friendly features, which include visual and audible indicators that are designed to improve compliance and safety.

Conix strengthens inhalation/delivery connection

3M also launched a second DPI system called Conix at the Respiratory Drug Delivery Conference in Lisbon, Portugal late last month.

The firm explained that the Conix system, which was licensed from Cambridge Consultants in December, is designed to improve the effectiveness of API delivery via its reverse-flow cyclone technology that uses patient inhalation to aerosolize the drug.

3M, which makes the unit in a disposable or re-loadable format on a contractual basis, suggests that its efficient inhalation triggered mechanism makes it particularly suited to the delivery of drugs for asthma, COPD and seasonal allergies.

Jim Vaughan, vice president of 3M Drug Delivery Systems. "We are the leader in MDI delivery systems and now we're advancing full-steam into DPI drug delivery with several significant offerings."

DPI market set to grow

3M efforts in DPI technology will serve it well in years to come if the predictions of Greystone Associates’ “Dry Powder Inhalation: Drugs, Devices and Delivery Therapeutics,” survey are correct.

The analysts suggested that the growing emphasis on drug self-administration and the expected acceleration in protein-based therapeutics is driving interest in pulmonary drug delivery technology and devices as an alternative route of administration.

They added that: “While several approaches for delivering active substances… compete in this space, recent advances and investment in powder formulations, particle engineering and device architecture have positioned dry powder inhalers to take full advantage of these trends.”