Cambridge Consultants has released its second Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) generic specification.
The specification describes the requirements that guide the development of inhalers - including marketing needs, user experiences, up-to-date regulatory information, technological considerations, such as the use of electronics, and safety and performance needs - providing a fast track to device development. In addition, the specification conforms to ISO20072.
Since the company launched the first version of the DPI generic specification in 2002, it has been shared with more than 100 organisations.
Based on experience gained from Cambridge Consultants" ongoing projects in the sector, the specification has been updated to incorporate emerging technologies within the inhaler market. These include the use of electronics in devices for high levels of functionality and performance.
The company has used the specification to develop a number of its own DPIs, including the Gen-X platform launched last year.
Matthew Allen, programme manager at Cambridge Consultants, said: "In the medical device industry we have come to expect that time to market for inhalation devices is often in the range of seven to ten years. Anything that can be done to reduce product development time is hugely beneficial both for pharmaceutical companies and device developers. The specification has been developed with this in mind and offers exactly these benefits."
David Blakey, head of drug delivery at the firm, added: "We are widely recognised as an industry leader and innovator for DPIs, and this generic specification gives others the opportunity to benefit from this experience."
