Successful nasal delivery of drugs requires efficient targeting of the appropriate deposition sites in the nasal cavity
Bespak and the CIIT Centers for Health Research have announced the initiation of a significant research collaboration in the area of nasal drug delivery.
Bespak will be working closely with CIIT, researching ways in which drugs are deposited in the nose, and how to improve on this route of administration.
This will aid the development of efficient nasal drug delivery systems suitable for administering a range of high-value therapies.
While treatment of problems such as hay fever and nasal congestion using sprays or drops is a familiar concept, there is growing interest in the delivery of a wide range of systemically acting drugs through the nose.
These include drugs which are poorly absorbed when taken orally or would otherwise have to be given via injections and which may also be relatively expensive. Successful nasal delivery of such drugs requires efficient targeting of the appropriate deposition sites in the nasal cavity.
Bespak's aim is to maximise efficacy and cost-effectiveness by developing devices that consistently deliver the right amount of drug to the right part of the nasal cavity.
The CIIT Centers for Health Research is a world leader in the modelling of the uptake of gases and deposition of particles in the respiratory tracts of animals and humans (dosimetry modelling).
The collaboration will bring together the Centers' extensive knowledge of respiratory tract anatomy and the physics of transport and deposition and Bespak's understanding of device performance characteristics to facilitate the rapid development of efficient delivery devices.
Martin Wardhaugh, group director, nasal drug delivery at Bespak, said: "Bespak's collaboration with CIIT is an exciting step forward and is a clear indication of our desire to underpin device development with a sound scientific understanding of the ways in which drugs are deposited in the respiratory tract.
CIIT was chosen as a partner because of its recognised expertise in dosimetry modelling and the unrivalled breadth of skills and knowledge that its people have.
"This collaboration is part of Bespak's overall corporate strategy to focus on drug delivery, expand the group's technology base as well as extending its presence in the USA." "We are delighted to be partnering with Bespak," said CIIT president William Greenlee.
"We hope to bring our strengths in aerosol science and respiratory research to break new ground in drug delivery. The technology developed from this partnership, particularly that related to human upper respiratory tract models, will bring great value to our core programme focused on environmental health issues."
