On September 22, 2017, one year after the PulmoMed project started up, the PulmoMed partners met at the Chiesi Farmaceutici Research Center of Parma to take stock of the project achievements and to define future steps. The meeting attendees included: the four Research Centers of the Emilia-Romagna High Technology Network, Chiesi Farmaceutici, IMA and Bormioli Rocco Pharma.

Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Parma, Ruggero Bettini, well described one of the main values of this project, “We can define PulmoMed as a full-chain project since it networks industrial entities with institutional ones, creating job opportunities, and scientific advances throughout our Region.”

The final objective of PulmoMed is to develop inhalable dry powder drugs starting from a molecular coating platform, and to engineer both a capsule filling technology and a suitable dry powder inhaler, Bormioli Rocco Pharma’s task.

As of today, the project group is investigating three different dry powder drugs - a vaccine, a small molecule and a protein. All of them have the potential to massively and positively impact the health of the world’s population.

The vaccine against Papilloma virus

As the molecule creation phase is close to being finalized, the revolutionary aspect of developing an inhalable vaccine is becoming increasingly more clear: to make the Papilloma virus vaccination accessible to developing countries. This is possible thanks to its administration simplicity that compared with standard injectable vaccines fosters a wide product distribution also in the Global South.

The protein and the small molecule against pulmonary inflammatory diseases

Studies on both the protein and the small molecule confirm the potential effectiveness of the powders, thus encouraging the research group to continue its research. More specifically, a stable protein has been achieved and a highly inhalable small molecule is now ready to be tested in larger volumes.

At this crucial stage of the project, the role played by two of the industrial partners, IMA and Bormioli Rocco Pharma, is essential. IMA is exploring a filling unit prototype while Bormioli Rocco Pharma is working on the “Nesat” Dry Powder Inhaler, which will allow for the maximization of the selected formulations effectiveness.

“To achieve the expected objective, we are intensively working on the design of the device ”, said Anna Malori, Business Development representative for Bormioli Rocco Pharma, “It is mainly made out of plastic components that gives the device great flexibility in adapting to all the specific formulation needs. But this is not all! The sleek design ensures a safe and user-friendly product making it accessible to a larger number of people.”

In conclusion, the project meeting clearly highlighted the collective and dynamic communication and cooperation between all the involved partners. This synergy is essential to reaching the PulmoMed objective: the development of highly effective dry powder drugs and a delivery device.

The project is expected to conclude in March 2018 when all the definitive findings will be made public.

PulmoMed project credits

Research phase and the formulations validation

Centers of the Emilia-Romagna High Technology Network

• Centre Biopharmanet-Tec – www.biopharmanet-tec.it

• The Interdepartmental Centre Measurements (C.I.M.)

• CIRI-SDV laboratory

• Democenter-Sipe Foundation - www.democentersipe.it

Dry powder development

• Chiesi Farmaceutici – www.chiesigroup.com

Dry powder Inhaler development

• Bormioli Rocco Pharma – www.bormioliroccopharma.com

Capsule filling technology development

• IMA – www.ima.it

Pulmomed is a project co-funded by Emilia-Romagna Region (POR-FESR 2014-2020, AXIS 1- 1.2.2 Action Research and Innovation).

For further information and updates on PulmoMed, please visit the website or download here the project brochure.