A revolutionary technology with the potential to change inhaled drug delivery

Inspiring is developing the next generation of inhaled drug spacers; products with the potential to enhance millions of lives.

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The Universal Spacer System (USS)

Universal spacer device suitable for all types of inhaled drug delivery systems – Metered Dose Inhalers, Nebulisers and Dry Powder Inhalers

Increased drug delivery efficiency (up to 79% more drug reaching airway) and reduced wastage (less than 1% wastage)

Easy to use and highly user friendly – reduced need for co-ordination and visual functional feedback

About Inspiring

Inspiring is a medical device company developing a revolutionary spacer system which can be used with inhalation drug delivery devices, including metered-dose inhalers (MDIs or puffers), nebulisers and dry powder inhalers (DPIs). Our Universal Spacer System, (USS), sits between the primary drug dispenser, (MDI, DPI or Nebuliser) and improves the delivery of drug to the lungs ensuring the lives of millions of people are made measurably better.

There are currently more than 600 million people world-wide suffering from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (COPD), most of whom use some form of inhaled drug dispenser. Many more millions of people use inhaled drugs to treat other conditions such as cystic fibrosis, non-CF bronchiectasis, and tuberculosis. Drug delivery to the lungs using current devices is extremely inefficient and the devices are not user-friendly.

In our proof of concept studies, using the USS with an MDI showed a 79% increase in medication delivered from the mouthpiece and an improvement in drug delivery to the lungs by up to 30%. The USS was also shown to reduce wastage to less than 1%, simultaneously ensuring the patient gets more of the prescribed dosage and uses less of the drug each time. Similar improvements have been found using the USS with nebulisers. DPIs do not work with existing spacers, but our USS device works equally well with all three delivery methods meaning we have the potential to reach more sufferers globally helping to significantly improve the lives of millions of people.

MDIs and Spacers

Treating and managing the symptoms of asthma and COPD involves the use of MDIs where the user must depress, or actuate, the puffer canister whilst at the same time taking in a deep breath in an attempt to get as much drug to the lungs as possible. Even with good co-ordination, these devices are extremely inefficient, with only around 10% of the drug actually reaching the lungs. Children, the elderly, the disabled, and those suffering acute episodes such as asthma attacks, receive even less drug to the lungs as they struggle to coordinate the actuation of the device whilst trying to take a deep breath.

Spacer devices were introduced 50 years ago, with the objective of overcoming user difficulties associated with MDIs and to improve MDI delivery, but have failed to impress users sufficiently, resulting in only 10% of patients using them regularly. There have been no significant advances in innovative device design in the last 40 to 50 years; current spacers are cumbersome, disliked by users, and only for use with MDIs.

Development of the USS

Paediatric respiratory clinician Prof Barry Clements, who has over 40 years of clinical practice experience, knew there had to be a better way to treat his patients. He would see the devastating effects of children presenting to the ER having asthma attacks and not being able to get enough drug into their lungs to relieve symptoms, terrifying for both the patient and loved ones looking on. In the pursuit of better patient outcomes, Prof Clements has spent the past four years designing, developing, and testing a novel spacer device that is small, lightweight, and significantly improves the delivery of inhaled drugs to the lungs. The outcome is Inspiring’s USS.

Adaptable

Novel designed hub with an inlet suitable (with modification) for all three inhaled drugs delivery systems, and an outlet that can be customised to suit the user

Small and easy to use

Unique, detachable, collapsible, metalised (non-static), large volume chamber (reservoir)

Efficient and safe

Closed-circuit system, no escape for drug except to the user’s mouth

Funding

To allow us to fully develop and commercialise the USS, we are currently undertaking a private capital raise. To find out more, please contact the company.

Who we are

Dr Liz Dallimore

Executive Director and Chairman

Liz has more than 19 years’ experience in research and management consulting, working with a range of large and small medical technology companies advising commercialisation strategies and funding, having previously worked with PwC, EY and most recently KPMG where she lead the Australian firm’s national Research Engagement & Commercialisation team. Liz has a PhD in Neuroscience and an MBA in Technology.

Assoc Prof Barry Clements

Executive Director & Chief Scientific Officer

Barry has 35 years of respiratory clinical and research experience including previous device inventions and early phase drug development, including the founder of Respirion Pharmaceuticals, which recently raised Au$24M in Australia. He is an experienced well-respected clinical respiratory physician with many peer review presentations and publications and has membership with national and international respiratory, cystic fibrosis and inhalation aerosol and drug delivery societies.