Bayer Acquires Inhalation Technology for AAT Dosing

The worldwide exclusive rights to new advanced inhalation technology for treating alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency have been acquired by Bayer Biological Products (Bayer BP, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA).

AAT deficiency is a hereditary disorder associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and liver disease. Bayer BP acquired the rights to the inhalation device from Inamed GmbH (Gemuenden, Germany), which developed the device. These rights include, but are not limited to, Inamed's new model of the device, called Akita, which is based on a computer-controlled inhalation system. This model is an important element of BP's ongoing development program for an aerosolized plasma-derived AAT protein.

Currently, all commercially available AAT products must be administered intravenously. The Akita is small, lightweight and efficient, resulting in less wasted product. Also, it delivers individualized and reproducible dosing tailored to each patient through smart card technology. Under its agreement with Inamed, Bayer BP will also have exclusive rights to any other products developed by Inamed based on the same technology for the development and marketing of its inhaled AAT products.

"While we are excited about the opportunities this deal offers Bayer BP for developing our aerosolized AAT product, we are most pleased about the tremendous improvements in efficiency and patient convenience the device offers,” said Bernhard Schaefer, vice president of global strategic marketing for Bayer BP.





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Inamed