Metrohm played a pivotal role in the development to market of Nasaleze, a cellulose-based remedy which claims remarkable efficacy for allergy sufferers
Mike James was working in a factory making cosmetic facemasks for a well-known British healthcare product retailer using a number of ingredients.
He noticed that despite there usually being clouds of white powder in the air nobody ever sneezed.
At the same time his teenage son was suffering terribly from allergies, sneezing almost constantly.
When his wife asked if he could do something about their son's condition, under pressure his mind was cast back to the clouds of white powder in the factory.
The following day he brought home some of this (cellulose) powder and suggested his sneezing son should 'sniff' some of the powder off the back of his hand.
The effect was like switching off a light.
The sneezing stopped in a matter of seconds and all the other symptoms subsided over the next few minutes.
Mike was astonished by the effect and realised he had discovered something.
He immediately set about researching and developing his idea, including creating the unique and patented special delivery system.
After the initial research proved encouraging, Mike was ready to bring his invention to market.
Nasaleze is now distributed in over 38 countries worldwide and is gaining respect from the medical community after successive and successful clinical studies.
Nasaleze is used for protection from and strengthening resistance to airborne allergens such as pollen, dust mites and animal dander and is administrated by means of a novel, patented method that ensures delivery of an effective dose via the nasal cavity.
Nasaleze is a clinically-proven, unique, natural product that works with the body's own nasal defense mechanism.
The mechanism of action of Nasaleze is estimated to be the cellulose powder reacting with moisture within the airway to produce a protective barrier over the nasal mucosa, preventing binding of inhaled allergens with receptors.
It forms a colourless, mucus-like fine gel lining in the nasal tract that acts as a filter for allergens, pollutants, dust and animal dander.
Relief from symptoms may occur within minutes (at least 77% of users) but usually within three hours of use.
High levels of water can give rise to unwanted microbiological growth which of course is most undesirable.
These high levels of moisture can also affect production, and administration of the powder into the nasal cavity.
Therefore, a fast and accurate measurement of the water content of Nasaleze powder is vitally important.
Metrohm as market leader in moisture analysis was able to offer Nasaleze an off-the-shelf solution.
Utilising the simple to use 787 KF Titrino, fast and accurate results were obtained as the Karl Fischer method is a classical technique for determining water, and can be fully automated.
Essentially the sample is dispensed into the titration cell, and the water extracted from the powder is titrated.
Mike James, now a director of Nasaleze, says that it has proved to be an entirely satisfactory decision to trust Metrohm, on all counts, to provide, install and train staff in a very short period of time from the 'buy' decision to the 'up and running' conclusion.
Nasaleze, requires (to comply with ISO 13485 and 14971) that it can check that the moisture content of the cellulose powder it uses is packaged with no more than 8% moisture content.
It has also enabled it to check that packaging protects the product from the ingress of moisture for a considerable length of time.
"Our earliest sample of packaging, retained from 16 years ago, is still quite safe to use since we now know that it's present moisture content is only 7.33%.
"Our grateful thanks to Richard Jacobs and Metrohm UK for a really good service and at a reasonable price particularly as we are located offshore".
