Mast Therapeutics inks deal with Philips Respironics for iNeb aerosol delivery device

Mast Therapeutics (NYSE:MSTX) said today that its subsidiary Aires Pharmaceuticals landed a collaborative agreement with Royal Philips (NYSE:PHG) sleep and respiratory care subsidiary Philips Respironics. The agreement covers Philips’ iNeb aerosol drug delivery device and Mast’s lead product candidate, AIR001, a sodium nitrite solution for intermittent inhalation.

The iNeb system is a portable, small vibrating mesh technology nebulizer that is delivers more reproducible doses of medication faster than ultrasonic nebulizers, according to Philips.

San Diego, Calif.-based Mast has 2 clinical stage investigational drugs, including AIR001, which is in Phase II clinical development for the treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. In early clinical studies of AIR001, according to Mast, researchers observed positive hemodynamic effects with reductions observed in right atrial pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. They also saw improvements in pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac output, and exercise tolerance.

“As we announced last month, we are accelerating activities related to our AIR001 program with support for ongoing, investigator-sponsored phase II clinical studies of AIR001 being conducted at 3 separate prestigious research institutions,” CEO Brian Culley said in prepared remarks. “As part of this commitment, we are pleased to be working with Philips, a recognized global leader in the development of aerosol delivery devices and a leading provider of innovative solutions for the global respiratory market. Our agreement has been extended to include not only 2 of the phase II studies of AIR001 currently underway, but also future clinical studies and will remain in place until 2020 or sooner, if replaced with a commercial supply agreement.”