NEWS 1nhaler, a Scotland-based drug delivery device developer, has raised £2 million to develop its unique single-use dry powder inhaler (DPI). Inhalable medicines are already widely used to treat conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, allergies and Parkinson’s but, to date, delivery options have been limited due to user accessibility, cost, performance and impact on the environment. 1nhaler has developed a way of enabling many different dry powder drugs to be readily delivered in a sustainable, low-cost delivery device. Other inhalers are typically made from bulky plastic and are expensive to manufacture and distribute. 1nhaler’s revolutionary sustainable DPI is cardboard-based with the same dimensions as a credit card. The discreet platform technology includes a breathable membrane which can be tailored to deliver individual drugs to patients. Investment will allow 1nhaler to work with innovative companies around the world, allowing them to bring new and existing drugs to patients in a more efficient and affordable way, opening up the next generation of inhaled products. The funding round was led by Archangels with support from Dr Yusuf Hamied, British Business Investments (BBI) and seed investors. Dr Hamied, nonexecutive Chairman of Indian pharmaceutical giant Cipla, is globally respected in the field pioneering the manufacture of affordable drugs for developing countries to fight AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Based in Edinburgh, the company was founded by Don Smith and Lisa McMyn in 2017. They have assembled a team of industry experts, with decades of experience taking inhaled products to market, including Chief Scientific Officer Helen Muirhead who had responsibility for GSK’s blockbuster respiratory portfolio, including the Diskus and Ellipta inhalers. Lisa McMyn, founder and Chief Executive Officer at 1nhaler, said: “Our DPI has the potential to become the simplest, most convenient single-dose, disposable inhaler on the market, revolutionising the delivery of critical drugs, without the cost and environmental impact of existing devices. “Securing funding from Archangels is invaluable for the next steps in the 1nhaler’s development. Their life sciences expertise and patient capital approach are exactly what we’re looking for in a funding partner.” Dr Sarah Hardy, Director and Head of New Investments at Archangels, said: “Don, Lisa and the team at 1nhaler have developed a truly innovative technology platform with a clear route to market and opportunity to positively disrupt the status quo of single-dose medicine delivery”. “We’re proud to add 1nhaler to our portfolio of Scotland’s leading life sciences and technology businesses and look forward to working with them to increase the availability of life-saving drugs affordably and sustainably.” Operating for over 30 years, Archangels’ investor members have invested over £160 million in the most innovative early-stage companies with disruptive technology, protectable IP and the potential to scale globally. Archangels has enjoyed a number of significant exits in recent years, including the sale of medical AI business, Blackford Analysis, to Bayer Pharma earlier in the year and the sale of optical platform business, Optoscribe, to Intel Corporation in 2022. 1nhaler raises £2 million to develop single-use sustainable inhaler for their absence. While employers are working hard to foster a more inclusive workplace, it’s apparent that stigmas still exist.” As well as highlighting some worrying behaviours, the research offered useful insight into what employers could do to improve the situation. Almost three quarters (71%)* of employees surveyed agreed that they would feel more comfortable speaking to female colleagues and 65% said they would prefer to speak to someone of a similar age. Just over half (52%) said they would be more comfortable speaking to someone who understands their culture.* Flexible working (35%) and wellbeing support (28%) topped employees’ wish lists when it came to other support employers could provide in relation to menopause. Over a fifth (21%) of employees said they wanted better education about menopause for the whole workforce, the ability to speak to someone in confidence (22%), and a culture that encouraged people to speak more openly about menopause in the workplace (21%). Dr Subashini M continued: “The research findings demonstrate the importance of building a culture of trust that encourages open and honest conversations about menopause and developing a support strategy that considers employee’s individual needs. Only then will all parties reap the benefits.”
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