Nuformix and Vectura will explore pre-competitive applications for the use of cocrystal technology within inhalation formulation and product development for the treatment of respiratory disease. It is hoped the output will provide indications for future product development opportunities and TSB funding will accelerate that process.

Vectura is developing a series of particle engineered formulation platforms for delivery of dry powder treatments to the lung. At present the majority of treatments on the market are small molecules, although biomolecules are increasingly being developed as alternatives, particularly in difficult-to-treat diseases. Each inhalation product has unique challenges to be solved in order to give physically and chemically stable performance and accurate delivery of the active into the lung. Vectura have identified a number of potentially beneficial formulation methods that could provide solutions to these challenges, for both small molecule and bio-molecule approaches, and want to apply these to real world product development and demonstrate the benefit of applying these approaches in future products.