Asthma, COPD Patients to Benefit from Partnership Between Propeller and Aptar Pharma for Metered Dose Inhalers

Propeller Health has partnered with Aptar Pharma, a drug delivery systems provider, for the development of technology based on metered dose inhaler systems (MDIs) for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Under the terms of the partnership, Propeller and Aptar will work to develop the first integrated connected MDI, with an integrated sensor and a new electronic dose counter. The device, which is currently under licensing, is expected to enter clinical trials later in 2016.

Pressurized MDIs are inhaler devices that deliver aerosolized drugs including bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and combinations that are used every day by patients suffering with chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. The new collaboration between Propeller and Aptar will develop the first connected inhaler, a major improvement in MDIs industry.

The new connected inhaler device will combine the MDI components developed by Aptar and the sensor technology developed by Propeller, which will allow for a reliable and accurate monitoring system of the patient’s use of inhaler drugs. Patients and providers will have all the information needed on how to use the cMDI.

Propeller creates a custom view of each patient, allowing them and their physicians to better understand the impact and management of their disease in daily life. The Propeller platform has been used by patients in more than 35 commercial programs across the U.S., including major healthcare systems, payers, employers, and other commercial partners.

To date, the Propeller platform has received FDA 510(k) class II clearance to measure and improve medication adherence, help predict exacerbations, and help reduce the frequency of symptoms and exacerbations in asthma and COPD.

The platform is compatible with a majority of MDIs currently available in the market, including controller medications such as GSK’s Flovent, Teva’s QVAR, Merck’s Dulera, and others, as well as reliever medications such as Merck’s Proventil HFA, Teva’s ProAir HFA, GSK’s Ventolin HFA, and generic albuterol. Propeller’s platform is also cleared and compatible with medications that use GSK’s Diskus dry powder inhaler (DPI), and Boehringer Ingelheims’s Respimat soft mist inhaler (SMI).

“Patients and physicians deserve better-designed inhalers that are easier to use and help them successfully treat their chronic respiratory disease,” said David Van Sickle, CEO of Propeller, in a press release provided to COPD News Today. “We are excited to work with Aptar to bring important digital innovation to respiratory drug delivery.  We expect our connected inhaler to become the cornerstone for a platform of digital programs that will support and encourage better management of and quality of life with chronic respiratory disease. Together I believe we have the scale and expertise to impact millions of patients with asthma and COPD around the world.”

“We are pleased to partner with Propeller to develop the next generation of connected inhalers,” said Salim Haffar, president of Aptar Pharma. “We believe the combination of Aptar’s expertise and technology in inhaler design and development with Propeller’s proven system for asthma and COPD patient management creates a compelling offer to meet the needs of stakeholders in this marketplace.”