Nektar Therapeutics has closed the acquisition of Aerogen Inc. under the definitive merger agreement announced on August 15, 2005. Aerogen stockholders approved the acquisition during a special meeting held October 19, 2005.

According to a company release, the acquisition will broaden Nektar's pulmonary technology base by adding capabilities in aerosolised liquid drugs to Nektar's leadership position with inhaleable powdered drugs. Initially, Nektar will incorporate Aerogen technology into its proprietary inhaled ICU antibiotics product, which is in clinical trials for the prevention of pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients.

Nektar's inhaled ICU antibiotics programme is designed to lower morbidity and mortality in ventilated patients and reduce the cost of care. The addition of Aerogen's technologies, people, products, and intellectual property, including a patent portfolio of more than 35 patents, will strengthen Nektar's pulmonary leadership position.

"We welcome and look forward to supporting Aerogen customers and to working with the Aerogen team to advance important therapies for intensive-care unit (ICU) patients," said Ajit S. Gill, Nektar president and CEO.

The release further informs that Aerogen products are based on its OnQ aerosol generator technology to improve the treatment of respiratory disorders in the acute care setting. Aerogen has commercialised its Aeroneb Micropump Nebulizer products for hospital, home and pre-clinical use through a network of world-class respiratory distribution partners that includes Puritan-Bennett, Respironics, Maquet, Cardinal Health, Evo Medical Solutions, and Drager Medical. The Aeroneb Professional Nebulizer is currently used in hospitals in more than 30 countries.

Aerogen also has development collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for use of its technology in the delivery of novel compounds that treat respiratory and other disorders. In 2004, Aerogen reported revenue of $ 6.2 million and net loss of $ 10.1 million.