CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill., March 13 — Aptar Pharma, a global leader in drug delivery, dosing, protection technologies and services, today announced a technical collaboration with COVIRIX Medical Pty Ltd (“COVIRIX Medical”), an Australian biopharma company under a Letter of Intent.
The collaboration will focus on a feasibility study to adapt Aptar Pharma’s proprietary dry powder inhalation (DPI) platform for the delivery of COVIRIX Medical’s antiviral compound. If successful, the project intends to explore development of an integrated finished product for potential use against several pandemic‑potential respiratory viruses including – but not limited to – Covid-19, seasonal influenza, avian influenza and RSV.
COVIRIX Medical reports that its antiviral portfolio has demonstrated positive virology results against key pandemic‑potential viruses. The company is advancing its patented broad‑spectrum antiviral compounds toward inhaled delivery to directly target the respiratory tract, aiming for high local efficacy while minimizing systemic side effects.
“Covirix’s portfolio of antivirals addresses several global challenges, and Aptar Pharma is proud to actively support and accelerate the development of a product that has the potential to help patients worldwide,” said Jonathan Mulpas, Aptar Pharma’s Director of Business Development, Pulmonary Category. “Our specialized services were created precisely for this purpose – to guide customers through complex regulatory pathways and advance their programs efficiently, backed by more than three decades of deep experience in respiratory drug delivery.”
Dr. Kumud Dhital, Director and CEO of COVIRIX Medical, added, “This collaboration provides access to critical delivery technology and commercial relationships. It accelerates our path to market for a much-needed antiviral solution, creating a win-win for both companies and global public health.”
Aptar Pharma’s advanced Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) technology, Orbital™, is a novel, easy to use device that delivers high payload powder drug formulations directly to the lungs. A single use or reusable, adaptable, hand-held dry powder inhaler, Orbital provides many advantages over powder capsule drug delivery methods for a growing range of molecules.
This collaboration will also leverage Aptar Pharma’s range of services, including formulation development via Nanopharm, an Aptar Pharma company, to facilitate and accelerate the development of the finished drug product.
The collaboration described above is focused on feasibility work and does not guarantee the development or commercialization of any product.
