3M Drug Delivery Systems (3M) and Impel NeuroPharma (Impel) are linking up to advance Impel’s Precision Olfactory Delivery (POD) technology for the enhanced Central Nervous System (CNS) delivery of drug products.
3M says the alliance further solidifies its presence as a leader in the drug delivery sector and shows its continued commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The alliance with 3M will enable Seattle, US-based Impel to speed up the development and commercialisation of its POD technology and accelerate its internal pipeline into late-stage clinical trials and subsequent global regulatory submissions.
As part of the deal, the two companies will collaborate on projects directed to the continued development and commercialisation of POD technology. The alliance will take advantage of 3M’s experience with inhaled and nasal drug delivery devices.
Financial and other details about the transaction have not been not disclosed.
We’ve successfully shown that the POD technology is highly effective in the clinic in our ongoing development programmes and across diverse therapeutic areas
'We are pleased to have 3M join our team,' said Impel's CEO Michael Hite. 'We’ve successfully shown that the POD technology is highly effective in the clinic in our ongoing development programmes and across diverse therapeutic areas including Alzheimer’s Disease, migraine, and pain management.'
Impel’s POD technology deposits drugs deep into the upper nasal cavity where it can achieve delivery into the brain and central nervous system. POD is a handheld, non-invasive means for delivering CNS therapeutics that can be self-administered by a patient, caregiver, doctor, or family member.
'Impel’s POD technology provides an important solution to an unmet need in the drug delivery marketplace,' said Cindy Kent, President and General Manager, 3M Drug Delivery Systems.
'We look forward to supporting Impel as they commercialise the POD technology and expand upon 3M’s leadership in developing novel approaches to major problems confronting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.'
The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that neurological diseases affect more than 450 million people globally, making up approximately 40% of total disease burden (based on disability adjusted life years), compared with 13% for cancer and 12% for cardiovascular disease. The CNS market is valued at over US$80bn in 2015 (BCC Research) and the drug delivery market is expected to reach $25.5bn by 2017 (Jain, PharmaBiotech).
