Adamis Pharmaceuticals to acquire dry powder inhaler technology from 3M

Published: 7-Aug-2013

Aims to offer a generic alternative to the Advair Diskus from GlaxoSmithKline

Adamis Pharmaceuticals, a US developer of specialist pharmaceutical and biotechnology products, is to license 3M's Taper Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) technology, which is being developed for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and will buy the technology for an undisclosed sum.

The San Diego-based company said it aims to offer a branded generic alternative to GlaxoSmithKline’s Advair Diskus.

The firm said the technology would strengthen its respiratory product pipeline and provide ‘solid growth potential’.

Adamis will initially obtain worldwide rights to use Taper technology in all indications in the dry powder inhalation field. The design uses proprietary 3M technology to store active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) on a microstructured carrier tape. 3M will supply the drug delivery tape to Adamis under a separate supply agreement.

We believe that the exclusive licence and acquisition of the 3M Taper DPI technology provides Adamis with a blockbuster opportunity

Dennis Carlo, President and CEO of Adamis, said: ‘To date there is no low-cost alternative to Advair. We believe that the exclusive licence and acquisition of the 3M Taper DPI technology provides Adamis with a blockbuster opportunity in the branded generic asthma/COPD market.’

Adamis says the 3M Taper Dry Powder Inhaler combines patient-friendly design and active aerosolisation to provide effective delivery of drug in a multi-dose DPI. It can be used with single or combination drugs and virtually eliminates the need for complex powder treatments or lactose in most formulations.

In addition it holds up to 120 doses in a convenient pocket size and handles an API dose range up to 1mg. It also protects against moisture ingress and uses patented 3M breath-actuated technology. An integrated dose counter ensures that patients know how many doses remain.

According to IMS Health data, the global asthma and COPD prescription market is worth more than US$34bn and is averaging 7% growth each year.

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