Hovione reports that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted the company a patent for a capsule-based dry powder inhaler (DPI) to Hovione.

Hovione designed the inhaler (XCaps) to have two operating components. The inhaler is suited for inhalation applications where minimal training of patients is desirable and can be used in the treatment of most pulmonary diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,  as well as infection, which typically requires very large doses.

The product adds to the company’s DPI product line, which also includes TwinCaps®, which was developed for the delivery of the anti-viral drug, laninamivir, to treat influenza and is now approved in Japan and marketed by licensee Daiichi-Sankyo as part of its Inavir® product. Hovione inhalers are offered for licensing, together with formulation and particle engineering services on a fee for service basis. The company has also developed a line of inhalation-grade active pharmaceutical ingredients, including fluticasone, salmeterol, mometasone,  and tiotropium.

Source: Hovione