Privately-held biotech Dance Biopharm and Phillips-Medisize have entered into a joint development deal for a connected drug-delivery device for inhaled insulin.
The agreement gives Phillips-Medisize, which already designs and manufactures devices for Dance, the development work for future enhancements of Dance’s devices, as well as commercial manufacturing of the inhaled insulin delivery device when it gets to the market.
The Dance 501 device stores a liquid formulation of recombinant human insulin in a dispenser with a hand-held electronic inhaler. The device uses vibrating mesh to produce particles of liquid insulin in a soft mist.
“We believe our inhaled insulin product is state of the art and well-differentiated from powder based, non-electronic technology. It provides a platform for applying advanced digital medicine for diabetes management. We love Phillips-Medisize and the solutions they offer for this aspect of our product,” Dance’s chairman & CEO John Patton said in prepared remarks. “Inhaled insulin offers the possibility of a cost effective, significant improvement in lifestyle – ease-of-use and compliance — for diabetic patients all over the world. We believe that our convenient soft-mist product candidate may someday improve the lives of millions of patients.”
“Advancements in drug delivery device technology have created new ways to administer drugs, thereby improving reliability and therapy adherence. Dance’s breathable insulin technology will be a game changer for patients living with diabetes,” Bill Welch, chief technology officer of Phillips-Medisize, added. “Working closely with Dance to support a connected health strategy, product development, and manufacturing can enable faster global access to Dance’s innovative insulin delivery solution.”
“Pulmonary drug delivery devices are one of the fastest growing segments in the drug delivery market,” Phillips-Medisize CEO Matt Jennings said. “We are excited to support Dance in bringing a Connected Health Pulmonary drug delivery system to the marketplace. We are also looking forward to collaborating on the design, development, manufacturing, and eventual back office support and user analytics for a connected health solution that may improve drug delivery efficiency, overall patient experience and improved outcomes.”
