MedPharm, a global provider of contract topical and transdermal formulation development and manufacturing services, has announced that it will support Swiss Biotech company, Mosanna Therapeutics, in the development of a nasal spray (MOS-118) aimed at treating Metabolic Obstructive Sleep Apnea (MOSA).
 
The collaboration will focus on advancing MOS-118 into clinical development. Mosanna is developing MOS-118 to prevent the airway from collapsing during sleep in a disease that affects up to 1 billion globally. The repeated partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep is associated with adverse metabolic and cardiovascular events and can severely impact the quality of life for patients.
 
MedPharm will precisely engineer a product capable of delivering MOS-118 in a convenient spray, via the nose, to act locally in the upper airway overnight.
 
MedPharm’s president & chief executive officer, Eugene Ciolfi, said, “MedPharm’s primary mission is to support the development of life-changing therapeutics, and Mosanna’s nasal spray is a promising opportunity to do just that. We are excited to work with their team of experienced industry leaders to realize MOS-118’s potential with the end goal of improving the quality of life for those living with Metabolic Obstructive Sleep Apnea.”
 
MedPharm’s proprietary nasal testing models will be used to optimize the formulation and delivery of the product into the nasal cavity.     
 
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common way of treating MOSA currently, however, studies have shown that at least 30% of patients do not tolerate this form of treatment. There are currently no pharmaceutical treatments available so a well-tolerated, relatively painless nasal spray could transform the way the disease is treated by providing a much-needed alternative to patients.
 
Dr. Jonathan Talbot, CEO from Mosanna commented, “MedPharm is world-renowned for its dermal and transdermal capabilities including intranasal delivery routes so was a clear first choice for this project. I am also excited by the potential this partnership creates for additional projects on the horizon for Mosanna.”