Aptar Pharma, a global provider of drug delivery systems, services and active material science services, entered an agreement with Pharmaxis, a clinical stage drug developer, under which Aptar Pharma has the option to acquire the worldwide rights to Pharmaxis’ high payload dry powder inhaler, Orbital. Aptar will evaluate the commercial applications for the Orbital device and further develop the prototype device to meet unmet market needs. Pharmaxis retains the rights to devices containing Orbital intellectual property used to deliver inhaled mannitol.
 

The Orbital technology allows powder payloads of up to 400mg or more to be inhaled by patients in divided doses without the need to reload. This platform was originally developed as a life cycle extending product for the Pharmaxis cystic fibrosis drug Bronchitol. However, it also meets an increasing global need to deliver high doses of other drugs, such as antibiotics, to the lungs.   
 
Howard Burnett, Vice President Global Pulmonary Category, Aptar Pharma said, “We are pleased to partner with Pharmaxis on this novel technology, which continues the development of Aptar Pharma’s industry-leading portfolio of devices for inhalation. Coupled with our broad Aptar Pharma Services offering, we will seek to expand the range of drugs administered by inhalation.”
 
“I am delighted with the forthcoming partnership with Aptar Pharma, who are one of the world’s foremost drug delivery device companies. In their hands, we hope to fully exploit the potential of the Orbital technology in other drugs and secure a return on the work we have already completed,” commented Pharmaxis CEO Gary Phillips. “The Orbital Inhaler is an innovative new device that eliminates the need for manual reloading of multiple powder-containing capsules needed for a single dose of drug. This can deliver improvements in the patient experience, compliance, market share and also effectively extend patent life of drugs that use the device.”