Invion teams with 3M for inhaled respiratory drugs

Invion (ASX:IVX) will collaborate with 3M Drug Delivery Systems to develop and test inhaled versions of the former’s two respiratory drug assets.

The two companies announced they will assess the feasibility of inhaled versions of Invion’s INV102 and INV104, delivered through 3M’s pressurised metered dose inhalation (pMDI) technology.

The agreement covers development as well as toxicology and phase I studies. If found to be safe and effective, Invion and 3M plan to jointly develop both drug candidates through to commercialisation.

INV102 is nadolol, a beta blocker currently approved to treat high blood pressure and migraine. Invion is repurposing the drug to treat chronic inflammatory airway diseases including asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis.

Invion is currently involved in two clinical trials of the oral formulation of nadolol - a smoking cessation study in patients with chronic bronchitis and a trial in mild asthma being sponsored by the US National Institutes of Health.

INV104 is zafirlukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist used to treat asthma. The oral version of the drug is sold as a generic and marketed by Astra Zeneca as Accolate. Invion has the exclusive global licence to develop all inhaled formulations of zafirlukast.

Dr Greg Collier, Invion’s CEO and managing director, said inhaled versions of respiratory drugs offer the advantage of targeted delivery, allowing for smaller doses and fewer side effects.

“Invion’s products are especially suitable for combination with existing respiratory drugs because of their unique anti-inflammatory profiles. Presuming we can demonstrate safety and efficacy with this delivery system, it will make both INV102 and INV104 even more attractive propositions,” he said.

Invion (ASX:IVX) shares were trading unchanged at $0.094 as of around 2 pm on Wednesday.