The number of applications through the nasal route is expanding, either for local treatments (e.g. chronic rhinosinusitis) or for systemic treatments (e.g. migraine, etc.). The clinical efficacy of a nasal treatment depends on how it is deposited in the nose, because the pharmaceutical target (local, systemic, brain) is directly related to a specific nasal anatomical site. So it is important for device manufacturers like Nemera to support new drug development in that area. That’s why Nemera has collaborated with CEPR to develop a different and portable delivery technology called RetroNose for a better drug deposition in the distal region of the nose, without lung deposition.
How does it work?
RetroNose uses a breath-actuated pMDI to administer the drug through the buccal cavity during the nasal expiratory phase. The drug particles enter the nasal cavities through the rhinopharynx, which has a significant impact on drug deposition profile.
First outcomes of this partnership were presented at RDD 2018, to demonstrate the advantages of this technology resulting in an improved particle deposition in an upper airways model for local, vaccine and systemic drugs delivery. Then, during DDL 2018, we showed that Retronose allows a more homogeneous and reproducible deposition in the different target regions of the nasal cavity compared to classic nasal spray in three different nasal cast models. This should have a positive impact on clinical outcomes for chronic rhinosinusitis patients.
Furthermore, a recent clinical study has presented data from five cases of asthmatic patients with rhinosinusitis treated with an aerosol therapy exhaled through the nose using a similar concept. This study proves that administering corticosteroid in the nasal cavity through the mouth is clinically efficient. This collaboration combines the specific know-how of CEPR and Nemera: CEPR’s know-how in respiratory pre-clinical and clinical research, as well as Nemera’s experience in development of drug delivery devices.
