Product Pipeline
Inhaled Asthma Therapy (RESP001)
Respirics’ first inhaled drug program is a new formulation of a short-acting inhaled beta2- adrenergic agonist. The drug is intended for (as needed use for) the treatment of patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who experience shortness of breath associated with bronchospasm. The company has completed Phase I of its clinical program and expects to begin Phase II studies by mid 2008.
There are over 20 million people with asthma in the United States and
over 20 million with COPD. According to NAEPP (National Asthma Education
and Prevention Program, NIH) short-acting inhaled beta2-agonists are the
drug of choice for the relief of bronchospasm for patients with asthma,
regardless of the disease severity. Likewise, GOLD (Global Initiative
for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) recommends use of short-acting
bronchodilators for treatment of COPD exacerbations, regardless of the
level of disease severity.
NanoGENT™ (Nanotherapeutics)
NanoGent™ is an inhaled formulation of a broad-spectrum antibiotic, gentamicin, being developed to provide early treatment for exposure to biological warfare agents, as well as TB and other respiratory infections. Respirics has partnered with Nanotherapeutics to develop the inhaler platform for the delivery of NanoGent™. Nanotherapeutics was awarded a $20 Million 4-year contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to develop the product.