Simultaneous Spray Drying For Innovative Dry Powder Inhaler Combination Formulations

Recent developments in spray drying have facilitated new and previously impractical formulation strategies. Combination therapies delivered directly to the lung by dry powder inhalants are an effective means of reducing patient burden and improving care. Despite this, their use has been historically limited by the compatibility of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) combinable through micronization and blending.

Simultaneous spray drying, a process by which two distinct APIs are simultaneously atomized through separate nozzles into a single spray dryer, is useful for a range of applications, from small molecules to biological actives and proteins. Employing simultaneous spray drying for biologics and advanced therapies will represent a crucial shift for treatment – currently, limited options exist for preparing combination treatments that contain both small molecule APIs and biotherapeutic molecules.

In a recent webinar, “Simultaneous Spray Drying for Innovative Dry Powder Inhaler Combination Formulations,” Dr. Kimberly Shepard, principal research and development engineer for Lonza, explored Lonza’s successes with its “simul-spray” process, including case studies illustrating the potential for these drugs in improving care for critically ill patients. This article further outlines Dr. Shepard's points from the webinar.