21st Mar 2005 16:44
Bespak PLC21 March 2005 For immediate release 21 March 2005 Bespak plc Bespak and airPharma Sign Collaboration Deal for New Dry Powder Device Bespak plc (LSE: BPK), a leader in specialty medical devices, is pleased toannounce that an agreement with airPharma, a US-based specialty respiratorypharmaceutical company, has been signed to develop and manufacture a newinhalation device for the dry powder formulation of Zofac(TM) (Pumactant), atreatment for asthma. As a leading developer of innovative drug deliverytechnologies, Bespak will create a clinical device based upon technologyairPharma licensed from UK-based Britannia Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. Doses of Pumactant reaching 100mg have been successfully delivered from alaboratory based delivery system and a more portable device is now required.airPharma will utilize Bespak's expertise in concept creation and rapidprototyping to develop refined inhalation delivery devices for airPharma's Zofac(TM) phase II clinical studies which are scheduled for later this year. Bespak has over 30 years experience in device development and will be providing design,development, scientific, and manufacturing services to ensure the 'best designfit' for airPharma's requirements. airPharma's novel therapy is targeted to treat attacks triggered by allergens orother inhaled materials which affect about half the 55 million asthma patientsworldwide. Zofac(TM) is a protein free synthetic surfactant made from naturallyoccurring phospholipids. When inhaled, the Zofac(TM) powder is believed to create a "barrier" that may protect the lungs from inhaled allergens, dust and other environmental particulates. Mark Throdahl, Chief Executive Officer of Bespak, commented: "Once again ourexpertise in device development has brought us together with a company seekingan innovative solution to a new medical therapy. This agreement allows Bespakand airPharma to demonstrate what can be achieved by early partnership with aleading device manufacturer." Doug Dockhorn, airPharma's founder and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We areexcited to be working with one of the leading experts in the area of innovativedrug delivery device development. We have the opportunity to develop a radical,new, high-volume drug delivery system that will not only benefit asthmasufferers, but will also open the door for delivery of vaccines, gene therapies,and other large molecules." For further information please call: Bespak plcMark Throdahl - Chief Executive +44 (0) 20 1908 552 600Martin Hopcroft - Group Finance Director Buchanan Communications +44 (0) 20 7466 5000Tim Thompson / Mark Court / Mary-Jane Johnson Notes for Editors: About Bespak plc Bespak, a specialty medical devices company, is at the forefront of developingnew delivery systems for the pharmaceutical industry. The company has a productrange covering metered dose inhalers, dry powder devices, actuators andcompliance aids. The company also develops and manufactures drug deliverydevices for leading global pharmaceutical companies. The group, which hasfacilities in King's Lynn and Milton Keynes in the UK and in Cary, NorthCarolina, in the USA. is a public company quoted on the Official list of theLondon Stock Exchange (LSE: BPK). For more information, please visitwww.bespak.com. About airPharma airPharma is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on commercializingproducts that address unmet needs in respiratory diseases. The company isdeveloping a portfolio of branded respiratory products. Dr. Robert Dockhorn andDoug Dockhorn founded the company in 2002. Prior to airPharma, the Dockhornsbuilt their previous company, IMTCI, into the leader in conducting respiratoryclinical studies. airPharma is privately held and is located in Overland Park,Kansas, USA. For more information - www.air-pharma.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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