Inhaled insulin could be a viable alternative to prandial insulin administration for patients with diabetes because of its more favourable pharmacokinetic profile and less invasive route of administration. Dry powder inhaler (DPI) systems, which doesn't contain non-environmental friendly CFC or HFA propellants, were explored from the University of Parma for the delivery of insulin to the alveolar region.
These insulin pulmonary particles are characterized by a very high respirability due to a peculiar structure and shape and quick dissolution in aqueous solutions. The University is looking for industrial partnership for product development.
Drug delivery strategies for diabetes have included a wide range of scientific and engineering approaches, including molecular design, formulation and device design. Particle engineering has been applied to pulmonary formulations for delivery to the deep lung. The creation of novel drug delivery methods for the treatment of diabetes should remove barriers to insulin therapy and increase patient acceptance and compliance. The substitution of routine injections with insulin for inhalation may offer an increasingly attractive alternative.
To date several technologies have been used to produce highly breathable insulin powder with an irregular geometry, to allow the transport "in air suspension".
In addition inhalatory powders must be flowable, in order to be regularly dosed in the insufflation device.

Innovative Aspects:
The product here described is insulin's micro particles aerodynamically useful for a deep pulmonary deposition and easy to dose in insufflation device. New way of preparation has been identified, finding the one able to give a breathable and bio-available powder mixture. The most relevant feature of this product is its good stability at room temperature.

 

Patents/Rights: Patent(s) granted

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