Aptar Pharma Prescription Division has developed the Twister, its latest Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) innovation. The product will be launched at the Pharmapack Europe trade show to be held in Paris, from February 13 and 14, 2013. Twister has a simple and robust design with few components, making it cost-attractive for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) treatments in fast growing markets.

Global solution provider of innovative and proven aerosol, injection and spray delivery systems for prescription drugs, is now has devised the product for the expanding asthma and COPD treatments in fast growing markets.

It is estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) around 300 million people suffer from asthma and 240 million people are reported to have  chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The cost of these diseases to the US healthcare system is estimated at $50.2 billion for asthma, and $32.1 billion for COPD.

The majority of asthma and COPD treatment sales in the US and Europe come from drugs delivered by DPIs. In the fast growing markets of Asia and Latin America, asthma has been treated predominantly with pMDIs, which in many countries are still considered to be more cost-effective than DPIs.

DPIs represent 50 per cent of the total asthma/COPD market by value worldwide, with most growth seen in the US and Europe. Aptar Pharma is anticipating that this DPI growth trend will spread to fast growing markets, driven by the healthcare reforms that are making asthma and COPD diagnosis and medication more available to patients.

Expectations of patients and pneumologists regarding DPIs in fast growing markets have evolved. The focus is on convenience and ease-of-use, favouring a compact and simple design. DPIs should be of good quality to ensure a long life, and recyclable when required to be replaced, stated the company.

Twister is designed to be patient-friendly and easy to use, allowing easy access to their medication in three simple steps: Insert, Twist and Inhale. It is transparent, allowing the capsule and powder to be seen in the device as they are processed. In addition to these visual cues, the patient is also guided by audible feedback during inhalation.

“Twister is the latest member of our comprehensive range of drug delivery solutions, available worldwide for the pharmaceutical industry’s treatments of asthma and COPD This device is designed to fulfill regional needs for a simpler and cost effective solution to deliver dry powder to the lung,” states Adam M Shain, associate director, Business Development, Aptar Pharma Prescription Division.

Development of Twister by an international Aptar Pharma project team started in France and continued in China, where industrial manufacturing now takes place. It is registered as a medical device by the sFDA, is moulded and assembled in a class ISO 7 cleanroom at Aptar’s production facility in Suzhou, China.