At a time when the drug industry is striving for patient-friendly delivery methods for new and existing drugs, the growing availability of innovative inhaler device designs is driving interest in pulmonary drug delivery technology and devices as an alternative to oral and parenteral routes of administration. The rising potential of dry powder inhalation is being driven by escalating research activity in powder formulations, advances in particle engineering, and the development of novel device architectures. In a similar fashion, the metered dose inhaler (MDI) has gone through a re-birth of sorts over the last five years, as regulatory requirements and efficacy issues related to variability in patient use of MDIs have fostered design changes at both the drug and device level.

The market for inhaled drug delivery will remain a dynamic one, as business factors related to direct-to-consumer marketing, patent expiry-driven generic competition and the changing regulatory climate create new risks and opportunities. Several emerging combination drug products will have a significant impact in the therapeutic markets they target, improving patient compliance and effectively changing the way important illnesses and conditions are treated. For inhalation device suppliers and their drug partners, understanding the concerns, preferences, and limitations of consumers to self-medicate via inhalation will be the driving force for future - generation inhaled drugs and spell the difference between successful ventures in this market and entities that will fail to prosper in spite of highly favorable market dynamics.

Delivering Drugs by Inhalation: Emerging Therapeutic Opportunities is a recently released report that analyzes existing and emerging combination inhalation products, market participants, and key demand and technology factors influencing the commercial market and shaping growth in this sector. It is available from Greystone Associates by visiting greystoneassociates/Inhalation_Therapeutics.htm

About Greystone

Greystone Associates is a medical and healthcare technology consulting firm providing services in strategic planning, venture development, product commercialization, and technology and market assessment.

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