Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1527415
News about companies that support development of orally inhaled and nasal drug products (OINDPs), including regulatory approvals, new partnerships, new products and services, and results of clinical studies. News on R&D and progress in the treatment of respiratory diseases, such as asthma and COPD. 8 OctOber 2024 Inhalation RESPIRATORY MEDICINE NEWS Malvern Panalytical to acquire Micromeritics W E S T B O ROU G H , M A S - S AC H USE T T S , US A N D NORCROSS, GEORGIA, US— Malvern Panalytical and Micromer- itics have each announced that Micromeritics will be acquired by Malvern, a subsidiary of Spectris. Noting the two companies pro- vide complimentary technologies, a Malvern news release explained that Micromeritics' technologies enable characterization of parti- cles by detailing their size, count, surface properties and behavior, for use in fundamental research, product development and produc- tion quality control. It also indi- cated Malvern Panalytical offers a diverse range of physical, structural and elemental analysis products. As part of the acquisition, Terry Kelly, currently President and Chief Exec- utive of Micromeritics, will become President of Malvern Panalytical and be a key member of the Spectris Scientific leadership team. Derek Harding, current CFO at Spectris and soon-to-be President of Spectris Scientific, said, "We look forward to welcoming the Micromeritics team and providing our customers with a wider portfolio of market leading solutions, helping to enhance their processes and productivity." e acquisition agreement is subject to approval by US authorities. Until approval is received and the trans- action completed, Spectris, Malvern Panalytical and Micromeritics will continue to operate as usual and as independent businesses. FluMist vaccine approved for self- administration in US WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, US—AstraZeneca announced that its needle-free nasal spray FLU- MIST ® was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administra- tion (FDA) as the only flu vaccine Collect Nasal Spray System for delivered dose uniformity (DDU) testing. e system incorporates technology of the company's Vereo Automated Actuator systems and its Viota ® software. Useable with multi-dose, bi-dose, and unit-dose vertical nasal spray drug devices, the benchtop system automates actuation, sample collection and rapid, precise weighing of up to ten samples, managed by a single analyst. It also offers walkaway automated functionality, freeing analysts to focus on other critical tasks. Designed to increase effi- ciency and ensure consistency and accuracy across multiple samples, the new system can enhance phar- maceutical product development and quality assurance. Molex will acquire Vectura Group HUDSON, WISCONSIN, US— Molex, a parent to Phillips Medi- size, announced it has signed an agreement to purchase Vectura Group, a subsidiary of Philip Mor- ris International. Molex acquired Phillips Medisize in 2016 to build a scale healthcare business. "Com- bining the strengths of Phillips Medisize and Vectura will enhance our ability to deliver a broader portfolio of inhalation combina- tion drug devices and solutions to our pharmaceutical customers and support our mission to help people live healthier, more pro- ductive lives," said Paul Chaffin, President of Phillips Medisize. "We are excited by the significant growth potential that comes with a wider range of formulation, device design, combination product development and manufacturing services to support the increas- ing need for inhalation therapies, explained Joe Nelligan, CEO of Molex. e acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. INDUSTRY NEWS Breztri completes studies with next- generation propellant C A M B R I D G E , U N I T E D KINGDOM—AstraZeneca has announced its completion of stud- ies supporting the first regulatory filings for the transition of Breztri/ Trixeo Aerosphere ® (budesonide/ glycopyrronium/formoterol fuma- rate or BGF) to the next- generation propellant HFO-1234ze(E). A company news release stated the propellant, developed by Hon- eywell, has 99.9% lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) than propellants used in currently avail- able inhaled medicines. Study results will be shared with regu- latory authorities, with first sub- missions in Europe, the UK and China expected before the end of 2024. Breztri will be the first medicine in AstraZeneca's port- folio of pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) to transition to the new propellant. In the news release, Omar Usmani, PhD, Pro- fessor of Respiratory Medicine at Imperial College London and coordinating study investigator, said "Transitioning to inhaled respiratory medicines using a pro- pellant with a carbon footprint similar to non-propellant-based inhaled medicines is critical for planetary health in reducing the carbon footprint, while addressing patient needs and healthcare pro- fessionals' ability to achieve opti- mal clinical outcomes." Breztri/ Trixeo Aerosphere is approved to treat chronic obstructive pulmo- nary disease (COPD) in more than 50 countries worldwide and is cur- rently being studied in Phase III trials for the treatment of asthma. Proveris Scientific introduces system for DDU testing HUDSON, MASSACHUSETTS, US—Proveris Scientific Corpora- tion has announced its introduc- tion of the Vereo ® Spray Weigh continued on page 33