Device for treating anaphylaxis

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a metered dose inhaler (MDI) containing an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) formulation suitable for administration by inhalation to a patient in need of the API formulation, and methods and uses of the MDI. The pressurized metered dose inhaler of the present invention comprises a canister containing a formulation including the API, and an actuator having one or more orifices with an effective diameter of about 0.12 mm to about 0.33 mm. The API may be in a suspension. Alternatively, the API may be epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for treating anaphylaxis. [Background technology]

[0002] 1. Background Anaphylaxis is a severe systemic hypersensitivity reaction that can potentially be life-threatening. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is the recommended first treatment option for anaphylaxis. Treatment of anaphylaxis has focused on early administration of epinephrine to rapidly reach peak plasma and tissue epinephrine concentrations. Currently, the best first-line treatment for anaphylaxis is epinephrine administered via intramuscular injection using an EpiPen™ or similar autoinjector device. However, there are many limitations to the use of an autoinjector for self-administration of epinephrine to treat allergic emergencies.

[0003] The main limitation is non-compliance of patients. Many individuals who carry an auto-injector are unable to use the auto-injector promptly in the event of an emergency, for example, due to inadequate training or pain avoidance or cost. All of these factors result in delays in administration of treatment, which are a significant aspect of not being able to successfully treat anaphylaxis. This is especially true in children. Furthermore, many patients at risk of severe allergic reactions do not routinely carry an auto-injector, for example, due to cost, supply shortages, device size, or complacency. Failure to rapidly administer epinephrine in response to a severe allergic reaction for any reason creates a significant risk of morbidity or mortality.

[0004] Various devices and formulations have been devised to deliver epinephrine by inhalation to treat asthma. In 1956, Riker Laboratories, Inc. marketed the first pressurized metered dose inhaler (MDI) containing epinephrine, sold under the trademark MEDIHALER-EPITM. Other similar commercial epinephrine inhalers, including Primatene Mist™ and Bronkaid Mist™, also came on the market later. Historically, such inhalers typically used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as propellants to rapidly deliver aerosolized epinephrine to treat acute attacks of asthma. However, the phase-out of CFCs under the Montreal Protocol led to the phase-out of epinephrine MDIs containing CFCs in late 2011.

[0005] Recently, Primatene Mist™ has been re-released as a commercial MDI for the treatment of bronchial asthma. A new version of Primatene Mist™ uses hydrofluoroalkanes (HFAs) as a more environmentally friendly propellant than CFCs and is described in US Pat. No. 5,399,663. A propellant-free inhalable formulation containing epinephrine or epinephrine salt particles, preferably in dry powder form, is described in US Pat. No. 5,399,663.

[0006] Certain epinephrine MDI devices designed for the treatment of asthma have occasionally been adopted or promoted as an alternative to intramuscular injections to achieve circulating levels of epinephrine for the treatment of anaphylaxis. However, the therapeutic efficacy of previously known inhalable epinephrine systems is considered less reliable than that of injected epinephrine for the treatment of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition. Inhalable epinephrine systems have not been shown to be clinically equivalent or superior to injectable epinephrine and therefore have not been adopted as a safe and reliable treatment for anaphylaxis.

[0007] There is a need in the art for epinephrine MDIs suitable for safely and effectively treating anaphylaxis, and methods of using the same in treating anaphylaxis. There is also a need in the art for improved MDIs for more rapid, efficient and reliable delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), such as epinephrine, to therapeutic target areas, such as the lungs and laryngopharynx. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,367,734 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 8,747,813 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005 / 061314 Summary of the Invention

[0009] 2. Overview The present disclosure describes a metered dose inhaler (MDI) containing an API (e.g., epinephrine) formulation, and methods and uses thereof. The disclosed MDI provides delivery of API (e.g., epinephrine) to the larynx and pharynx (collectively, the "laryngopharynx") and lungs in a manner that is more rapid, efficient, and reliable than conventional API (e.g., epinephrine) MDI devices. In one aspect, the percentage of API (e.g., epinephrine) delivered to the oral cavity is reduced. In another aspect, the percentage of API (e.g., epinephrine) delivered to the laryngopharynx and lungs is increased. In a further aspect, the percentage of API (e.g., epinephrine) delivered to the laryngopharynx and lungs is relatively independent of whether the metered dose inhaler is used in a transverse or coaxial orientation. In still further aspects, systemic delivery of API (e.g., epinephrine) occurs more rapidly and consistently than with alternative modes of administration, such as, for example, intramuscular injection via an auto-injector. Thus, the use of the disclosed MDIs increases the speed, efficacy, and reliability required to treat a disease, disorder, or condition (e.g., anaphylaxis) that can be treated by inhalation of an API, and reduces the number and frequency of administered doses (metered volume of inhalation plume) of an inhaled API (e.g., epinephrine). In certain embodiments, oral inhalation delivery of an API (e.g., epinephrine) via the disclosed MDIs provides resolution of symptoms of an acute allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) within 5 minutes, preferably within 4 minutes, more preferably within 3 minutes, and even more preferably within 2 minutes of initiation of treatment. In one embodiment, the API is a compound other than epinephrine or a salt thereof that provides a pharmaceutical benefit upon administration to a subject. Preferably, the compound is present as a suspension. In another embodiment, the API is an immunogen (e.g., a vaccine).

[0010] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an MDI, the MDI comprising: (a) a formulation including an API (e.g., epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof), such as a suspension of the API (e.g., epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof) (i.e., an “API formulation”); (b) an actuator having one or more orifices with an effective diameter of about 0.12 mm to about 0.33 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the MDI comprises: (a) a canister containing a formulation including an API (e.g., epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof); (b) an actuator having one or more orifices with an effective diameter of about 0.12 mm to about 0.33 mm. Preferably, the MDI is a pressurized metered dose inhaler.

[0011] In some aspects, the effective diameter of one or more orifices of the actuator is about 0.14 mm to about 0.31 mm, about 0.16 mm to about 0.29 mm, about 0.18 mm to about 0.22 mm, about 0.20 mm to about 0.25 mm, or about 0.21 mm to about 0.23 mm. In other aspects, the effective diameter of one or more orifices of the actuator is about 0.22 mm, or 0.22 mm. In one embodiment, one or more orifices are circular, or alternatively, one or more orifices may be peanut-shaped, clover-shaped, cross-shaped, or slot-shaped. In one embodiment, the actuator has a single orifice. In another embodiment, the actuator has multiple orifices, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 orifices, which may have the same shape or a combination of different shapes such as those specified above. In one embodiment, the actuator has multiple orifices (e.g., circular orifices) arranged in a linear fashion (e.g., aligned vertically when the MDI is in use). In one embodiment, the actuator has an effective orifice diameter as described above and a diameter of 15-20 mm. 3 , preferably 17 to 19 mm 3 , most preferably 18 mm 3and / or a land length (i.e., channel length of the exit orifice) of 0.55-0.75 mm, preferably 0.60-0.70 mm, and most preferably 0.65 mm. In a specific embodiment, the actuator has a Bespak BK632 or BK679 actuator configuration (single orifice 0.33 mm diameter, 18 mm 3 sump volume and 0.65mm land length), preferably a Bespak BK634 or BK665 actuator configuration (single 0.30mm diameter orifice, 18mm 3 and 0.65mm land length), more preferably the Bespak BK638 configuration (single orifice with 0.25mm diameter, 18mm 3 sump volume and 0.65mm land length), most preferably a Bespak BK633 or BK671 actuator configuration (single orifice 0.22mm diameter, 18mm 3 and a land length of 0.65 mm. In some embodiments, the actuator has a mouthpiece that extends from the portion of the orifice closest to the user about 1.5 to 3.5 cm, preferably about 2.0 to 3.0 cm, and more preferably about 2.5 cm.

[0012] In other aspects, the API (e.g., epinephrine) formulation in a metered dose inhaler of the present disclosure comprises: (a) a suspension of an API (e.g., epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof); and (b) a liquefied propellant; (c) a co-solvent; Includes.

[0013] In some aspects, the co-solvent is present at about 0.1% to about 4% by weight, about 0.1% to about 3% by weight, or about 0.1% to about 2% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation. In a preferred embodiment, the co-solvent is present at about 1% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation. In other aspects, the co-solvent is ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, propane, butane, isobutene, pentane, dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, or mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the co-solvent is ethanol (preferably absolute ethanol).

[0014] In some aspects, the liquefied propellant is present at about 95% to about 99.5%, about 96% to about 99%, or about 97% to about 99% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation. In other aspects, the liquefied propellant is 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFA-134a), 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (HFA-227), or a mixture thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the liquefied propellant is 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFA-134a).

[0015] In some aspects, the suspension of the API (e.g., epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof) is present at about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0.1% to about 0.4%, or about 0.1% to about 0.3% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation. In preferred embodiments, the API (e.g., epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof) is in suspension. In some embodiments, the API is epinephrine free base. In preferred embodiments, epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof comprises epinephrine free base at a concentration of 0.19% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0016] In a further aspect, the API (e.g., epinephrine) formulation of the present disclosure may further comprise a surfactant, such as a surfactant selected from mono- or poly-sorbitan oleate, oleic acid, and lecithin. In a preferred embodiment, the formulation comprises polysorbate 80. In a further aspect, the API (e.g., epinephrine) formulation of the present disclosure may further comprise an antioxidant, such as an antioxidant selected from thymol, tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, propyl gallate, citric acid, sodium metabisulfite, and sodium sulfite. In a preferred embodiment, the formulation comprises thymol. Preferably, the formulation does not comprise metabisulfite, and more preferably, the formulation does not comprise sodium sulfite.

[0017] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of administering an API (e.g., epinephrine) to a patient in need thereof or a method of treating a patient in need of an API (e.g., epinephrine) using the disclosed metered dose inhalers. In some aspects, the disclosure provides the use of an API (e.g., epinephrine) to treat a patient in need thereof using the disclosed metered dose inhalers.

[0018] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of treating a disease, disorder, or condition treatable by inhalation of an API (e.g., an allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis) in a patient in need of the API, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the API (e.g., epinephrine) by oral inhalation using a disclosed metered dose inhaler. In some aspects, the disclosure provides the use of an API (e.g., epinephrine) to treat an allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) in a patient in need of the API (e.g., epinephrine) by oral inhalation using a disclosed metered dose inhaler. In some aspects, the method of treating an allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) comprises treating or reducing the likelihood of upper airway obstruction. In other aspects, the metered dose inhaler is an orientation-independent metered dose inhaler in that the amount of API (e.g., epinephrine) delivered by the metered dose inhaler to the patient's laryngopharynx and lungs is relatively independent (i.e., varies by less than 10%) of the coaxial or lateral orientation of the metered dose inhaler. Preferably, the proportion of the delivered dose of an API (e.g., epinephrine) that reaches the patient's laryngopharynx and lungs when the metered dose inhaler is in a lateral orientation is at least 95% of the proportion of the delivered dose that reaches the patient's laryngopharynx and lungs when the metered dose inhaler is in a coaxial orientation.

[0019] In another embodiment, a patient having an allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) is treated by administering oral inhalation via a disclosed metered dose inhaler by giving 250 mg of epinephrine periodically (e.g., every 30-90 seconds, preferably every 45-75 seconds, more preferably about every 60 seconds) until the patient experiences subjective awareness of a physiological response to the treatment (e.g., awareness of an increased heart rate, awareness of body or hand tremors, or awareness of both an increased heart rate and body or hand tremors).

[0020] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reference to the following detailed description, to which end various references are set forth herein which describe in more detail certain background information and procedures, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] 3. Brief description of the drawings [Figure 1] Provided are cross-sectional views of a pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) in the rest position (panel A) and in the actuated position (panel B). The MDI in this embodiment comprises an actuator 1, actuator orifice 2, formulation 3, sump 4, canister 5, metering chamber 6, stem 7 and actuator mouthpiece 8. Arrow 9 indicates the direction of movement of the canister 5 during actuation of the device, which results in the release of formulation 3 from the metering chamber 6 through the actuator orifice 2. [Diagram 2] Provides a schematic of the Sectioned Alberta Idealized Throat (S-AIT) device showing the anatomical regions. The apex of the S-AIT models delivery to the oral cavity, the middle models delivery to the laryngopharyngeal cavity, and the bottom models delivery to the upper trachea. [Diagram 3] We provide schematic diagrams of a pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) applied for S-AIT in various orientations: (a) coaxial and oriented toward the rear of the oral cavity, and (b) lateral and horizontally oriented. [Figure 4] We provide an experimental setup used to investigate depositions of epinephrine delivered by a pMDI using S-AIT and a filter, where delivery to the filter models delivery to the lung. [Diagram 5]Figure 1 provides deposition of epinephrine in regions of interest for different actuator orifice diameters at coaxial insertion angles at an inhalation flow rate of 30 L / min. (a) shows a comparison of deposition recovered from each region, and (b) shows the functional relationship between actuator orifice diameter and deposition in each region of interest. Error bars indicate standard deviation (n=5). RD=recovered dose. [Figure 6] Figure 1 provides deposition of epinephrine in regions of interest for different actuator orifice diameters at lateral insertion angles at an inhalation flow rate of 30 L / min. (a) shows a comparison of the deposition recovered from each region, and (b) shows the functional relationship between actuator orifice diameter and deposition in each region of interest. Error bars indicate standard deviation (n=5). RD=recovered dose. [Figure 7] A comparison of deposition obtained at coaxial and lateral insertion angles for each orifice diameter in (a) the oral cavity, (b) the laryngopharynx, (c) the upper trachea, and (d) the filter is provided, expressed as a percentage of the recovered dose. Error bars indicate standard deviation (n=5). RD=recovered dose. [Figure 8] The total delivery to the target area (taken as the sum of the deposition in the larynx and the filter) obtained for each orifice diameter at the coaxial and lateral insertion angles at an inhalation flow rate of 30 L / min is presented, expressed as a percentage of the recovered dose. Error bars indicate the standard deviation. RD=recovered dose. [Figure 9] Figure 1 provides deposition of epinephrine in regions of interest across flow rates of interest with a coaxial insertion angle and an actuator orifice of 0.22 mm. (a) shows a comparison of the deposition recovered from each region, and (b) shows the functional relationship between flow rate and deposition in each region of interest. Error bars indicate standard deviation (n=5). RD=recovered dose. [Figure 10]Figure 1 provides deposition of epinephrine in regions of interest across flow rates of interest with lateral insertion angles and an actuator orifice of 0.22 mm. (a) shows a comparison of the deposition recovered from each region, and (b) shows the functional relationship between flow rate and deposition in each region of interest. Error bars indicate standard deviation (n=5). RD=recovered dose. [Figure 11] A comparison of deposition obtained with coaxial and lateral insertion angles of a 0.22 mm actuator orifice at flow rates of interest in (a) the oral cavity, (b) the laryngopharynx, (c) the upper trachea, and (d) the filter is provided, expressed as a percentage of the recovered dose. Error bars indicate standard deviation (n=5). RD=recovered dose. [Figure 12] Total delivery (taken as the sum of deposition in the laryngopharynx and filter) to the target region over flow rates of interest obtained at coaxial and lateral insertion angles for a 0.22 mm diameter orifice is presented, expressed as a percentage of the recovered dose. Error bars indicate standard deviation. RD=recovered dose. [Figure 13] 1 provides a comparison of deposition obtained using a commercial Primatene Mist HFA actuator and a 0.22 mm orifice diameter actuator in a region of interest at 10 L / min. RD = recovered dose. Error bars indicate standard deviation. RD = recovered dose. [Figure 14] 1 provides a comparison of deposition obtained using a commercial Primatene Mist HFA actuator and a 0.22 mm orifice diameter actuator in a region of interest at 30 L / min. RD = recovered dose. Error bars indicate standard deviation. RD = recovered dose. [Figure 15] 1 provides a comparison of deposition obtained using a commercial Primatene Mist HFA actuator and a 0.22 mm orifice diameter actuator in a region of interest at 60 L / min. RD = recovered dose. Error bars indicate standard deviation. RD = recovered dose. [Figure 16]1 provides a comparison of deposition obtained using a commercial Primatene Mist HFA actuator and a 0.22 mm orifice diameter actuator in a region of interest at 100 L / min. RD = recovered dose. Error bars indicate standard deviation. RD = recovered dose. [Figure 17] Laryngopharyngeal deposition obtained with the commercially available Primatene Mist HFA actuator versus the 0.22 mm orifice diameter actuator is provided across all flow rates tested. Data at both coaxial and lateral orientation angles are presented with average values ​​across both orientations. Error bars indicate standard deviation. RD = recovered dose. [Figure 18] Filter deposition obtained with a commercially available Primatene Mist HFA actuator versus a 0.22 mm orifice diameter actuator is provided across all flow rates tested. Data at both coaxial and transverse orientation angles are presented with average values ​​across both orientations. Error bars indicate standard deviation. RD=recovered dose. [Figure 19] The combined laryngopharyngeal and filter deposition obtained with the commercially available Primatene Mist HFA actuator versus the 0.22 mm orifice diameter actuator is provided across all flow rates tested. Data at both coaxial and transverse orientation angles are presented with average values ​​across both orientations. Error bars indicate standard deviation. RD=recovered dose. [Figure 20] We present the experimental setup used to measure particle size distributions with a Next Generation Impactor placed downstream of an unamputated adult Alberta Idealized Throat. [Figure 21] Several views (panels A-E) of a Bespak BK633 actuator are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] 4. Detailed Description 4.1.Definition As used in this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, the following terms and abbreviations have the meanings indicated.

[0023] "About" as used herein means a value that is within 10% of a stated number or range.

[0024] An "active pharmaceutical ingredient" ("API"), as used herein, is a chemical, biological, or pharmaceutical entity, including any natural or synthetic chemical or biological substance that has a pharmaceutical effect. Exemplary APIs include, but are not limited to, antibodies, antigens, biological substances, chemicals, drugs, enzymes, hormones, immunogens, probes, tracers, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, selective toxins, and toxins. In certain embodiments, the API is epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof. In other embodiments, the API is a compound other than epinephrine or a salt thereof that provides a pharmaceutical benefit upon administration to a subject, preferably the compound is present as a suspension. In further embodiments, the API is an immunogen (e.g., a vaccine).

[0025] "API formulation," as used herein, refers to a formulation that contains an API.

[0026] "Effective diameter", as used herein, means the diameter of a circle having an area equal to the area of ​​the orifice (if the actuator has a single orifice) or the sum of the areas of the orifices (if the actuator has multiple orifices), as determined at the narrowest part of each orifice in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the orifice. For actuators having a single orifice, the effective diameter (D eff ) is D eff For actuators with multiple orifices, the effective diameter of the orifices is D eff It can be calculated as =2√(area / π).

[0027] As used herein, "epinephrine" is also known as adrenaline and has the formula: [ka] and has the name 4-(1-hydroxy-2-(methylamino)ethyl)benzene-1,2-diol. Epinephrine, as used herein, can be obtained from natural sources, such as from the adrenal glands of animals, or can be synthetically produced, for example, from pyrocatechol. Epinephrine is a chiral molecule. The disclosed epinephrine formulations may include the (L)- or (D)-stereoisomer of epinephrine, or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt of epinephrine, or a mixture of such stereoisomers (e.g., an optically active mixture or a racemic mixture). Preferably, the disclosed epinephrine formulations contain epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt of epinephrine that substantially comprises the (L)-isomer, e.g., at least about 70, 80, 90, or 95% of the epinephrine is the (L)-isomer. Epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt of epinephrine is used in the devices and methods and uses described herein.

[0028] "Epinephrine formulation," as used herein, means a formulation that contains epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt of epinephrine.

[0029] "Laryngopharyngeal" and "laryngopharyngeal delivery" as used herein refer collectively to the larynx and pharynx, respectively, and refer to delivery to the combination of the larynx and pharynx.

[0030] "Patient" as used herein means a human patient.

[0031] "Pharmaceutically acceptable salts" as used herein means salts suitable for use in contact with human tissues without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic reactions, etc., and commensurate with a reasonable benefit / risk ratio. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known in the art. For example, SM Berge et al. describe pharmaceutically acceptable salts in detail in J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1977, 66, 1-19. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of epinephrine include those derived from suitable inorganic and organic acids. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acid addition salts are salts of amino groups formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, and perchloric acid, or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid, or malonic acid, or by using other methods used in the art. Other pharma- ceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, bitartrate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethoxyethyl ester ... Examples of the salts include ethanesulfonic acid, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleic acid, oxalate, palmitic acid, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, pivalate, propionate, stearic acid, succinic acid, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecaate, and valerate.

[0032] "Sectioned Alberta Idealized Throat" (S-AIT), as used herein, refers to an adult Alberta Idealized Throat divided into sections having the dimensions shown in FIG. 2. The adult Alberta Idealized Throat is commercially available from Copley Scientific Ltd., Nottingham, UK (catalog number 8511). The AIT has been shown to be a physiologically representative model of the human throat that predicts deposition patterns in patients. McShane et al., Pulm. Pharmacol. & Therapeutics 50:72-79(2018); Sheth et al., Inti. J. Pharmaceutics 528:360-371(2017); Weers et al., J. Aerosol Med. and Pulmonary Drug Delivery 28: 1-13(2015).

[0033] "Substantially dry," as used herein, means containing about 10% or less liquid by weight. Preferably, the disclosed epinephrine particles contain about 10% or less liquid by weight, for example, the particles can contain about 1% to about 8% by weight, about 2% to about 6% by weight, or about 2% to about 5% by weight liquid, based on the total weight of the particle.

[0034] "Therapeutically effective amount," as used herein, means an amount of an API (e.g., epinephrine or a therapeutically acceptable salt thereof) sufficient to treat a described disease, disorder, or condition in a human subject, or to have a desired described effect on a disease, disorder, or condition, or one or more mechanisms underlying the disease, disorder, or condition. In certain embodiments, when epinephrine is administered for the treatment of anaphylaxis, a therapeutically effective amount means an amount of epinephrine that, upon administration to a human, treats, ameliorates, or prevents anaphylaxis in the human, or exhibits a detectable therapeutic or prophylactic effect in a human with anaphylaxis.

[0035] "Treatment," as used herein, refers to therapeutic applications involving administration of an API (e.g., epinephrine) that ameliorates (including slowing or halting the progression of) the indicated disease, disorder, or condition, or one or more underlying mechanisms of said disease, disorder, or condition, in a human subject. In certain embodiments, when epinephrine is administered for the treatment of anaphylaxis, treatment refers to therapeutic applications to slow or halt the progression of anaphylaxis, prophylactic applications to prevent the onset of anaphylaxis following potential exposure to an allergen, and / or reversal of anaphylaxis.

[0036] Detailed Description Anaphylaxis often presents as a severe and acute multisystem allergic reaction, typically triggered by a cellular response to an allergen. Anaphylaxis often requires emergency room treatment and can result in death if not treated properly and promptly. As the number of allergic reactions in the United States is gradually increasing, the incidence of anaphylaxis is expected to increase as well. An attack of anaphylaxis may include angioedema manifested by swelling of the skin or other tissues, upper airway obstruction resulting from swelling of the pharynx and / or larynx, and lower airway obstruction resulting from bronchoconstriction. Anaphylaxis may also cause hypotension and anaphylactic shock.

[0037] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a metered dose inhaler (MDI), e.g., a pressurized MDI, containing a formulation comprising epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof and suitable for administration to a patient in need of administration by inhalation, e.g., a patient suffering from anaphylaxis. Formulations used in the present disclosure include formulations comprising epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof found in commercially available MDIs, e.g., MDI Primatene Mist™ (HFA) and other MDIs disclosed in the art (e.g., U.S. Patent No. 5,399,633). The disclosed MDIs also include an actuator having one or more orifices having an effective diameter of about 0.12 mm to about 0.33 mm. In some embodiments, MDIs comprising the disclosed actuators reduce wasteful delivery of epinephrine to the oral cavity and increase delivery of epinephrine to target areas such as the larynx, pharynx, and lungs. Thus, the disclosed MDIs having one or more orifices with an effective diameter of about 0.12 mm to about 0.33 mm (e.g., 0.22 mm) reduce the number of administered doses (e.g., metered volumes of epinephrine) required to treat a patient in need of epinephrine (e.g., to treat anaphylaxis). Delivery of epinephrine to the larynx and pharynx is beneficial in treating or reducing the likelihood of upper airway obstruction in patients suffering from anaphylaxis. Delivery of epinephrine to the lungs is beneficial both in treating pulmonary symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as bronchospasm and pulmonary edema, and in achieving rapid absorption and systemic delivery of epinephrine. Delivery of epinephrine to the oral cavity is wasteful in that the oral cavity is not a target area for treatment of anaphylaxis (or conditions such as asthma) due to the small surface area for absorption in the oral cavity, resulting in limited and slow systemic delivery. Furthermore, delivery of epinephrine to the oral cavity often results in an unpleasant taste that can discourage use of epinephrine by inhalation. In some embodiments, the disclosed MDIs provide more reliable delivery of epinephrine to the larynx, pharynx and lungs by making delivery of epinephrine to these target areas less dependent on, or relatively independent of, the lateral or coaxial orientation of the MDI when a dose of epinephrine is administered.In some embodiments, the disclosed MDIs provide the benefit of reducing the effect of MDI insertion angle, thereby eliminating the need for bulky and cumbersome mouthpiece adapters (e.g., spacers or holding chambers), making the disclosed MDIs easier to carry by patients at risk of anaphylaxis and capable of reliably delivering epinephrine to the target area for treating anaphylaxis.

[0038] Use of an MDI containing a suspension comprising epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with an actuator having one or more orifices with a narrow effective diameter according to the present invention is likely to result in clogging of the actuator orifice after delivery of more than the recommended number of doses. In some embodiments, for example, where the MDI is a limited dose MDI suitable for emergency use, the MDI provides up to 5 inhaled doses, up to 10 inhaled doses, up to 15 inhaled doses, up to 20 inhaled doses, up to 25 inhaled doses, up to 30 inhaled doses, up to 35 inhaled doses, up to 40 inhaled doses, up to 45 inhaled doses, or up to 50 inhaled doses. Such limited dose MDIs are adapted to deliver short-term treatment to patients in need of epinephrine (e.g., for treatment of anaphylaxis) without clogging the actuator orifice, and are preferably carried or accompanied by instructions indicating the recommended number of doses.

[0039] The disclosed epinephrine formulations may be provided as suspension formulations, including pressurized suspension formulations suitable for aerosol delivery from an MDI. In certain instances, the suspension of epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof comprises epinephrine particles suspended in a liquefied propellant, such as a hydrofluoroalkane propellant, and a co-solvent as described herein. In certain embodiments, the co-solvent is present in the formulation in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight. The concentration of co-solvent included in the MDIs disclosed herein promotes the formation of an aerosolized plume or mist of epinephrine in fine particles, which further increases the delivery of epinephrine from the oral cavity to the laryngeal cavity, thereby increasing the delivery of epinephrine to the lungs.

[0040] Without being limited to any particular theory, the disclosed actuator orifice diameters and co-solvent concentrations, each individually or in combination, provide the MDI with the aforementioned performance characteristics that increase delivery of epinephrine to treatment areas of the larynx, pharynx and lungs and reduce the number of doses (e.g., metered volumes of the inhalation plume) that need to be administered to achieve a therapeutic result.

[0041] 4.2.1. Metered dose inhaler (MDI) In some embodiments, the MDI is a commercially available MDI, such as the MDI Primatene Mist™ (HFA) available from Armstrong Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, modified by replacing a smaller actuator orifice. In some embodiments, the MDI is the MDI disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,399,633, modified by replacing a smaller actuator orifice. The disclosed MDI is preferably a pressure metered dose inhaler. In certain embodiments, the MDI comprises an actuator having one or more orifices having an effective diameter of about 0.12 mm to about 0.33 mm, about 0.14 mm to about 0.33 mm, about 0.16 mm to about 0.29 mm, about 0.18 mm to about 0.27 mm, about 0.20 mm to about 0.25 mm, or about 0.21 mm to about 0.23 mm. In certain embodiments, the actuator orifice has an effective diameter of about 0.22 mm. In certain embodiments, the actuator orifice has an effective diameter of 0.22 mm. In some embodiments, the disclosed MDIs are orientation independent MDIs, which provide the benefit of reducing the effect of MDI insertion angle, thereby eliminating the need for bulky and cumbersome mouthpiece adapters.

[0042] API Formulation The therapeutic formulations of the present disclosure include an API (e.g., epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof) (i.e., an "API formulation"), preferably as a suspension. The API (e.g., epinephrine or a salt thereof) is present in the formulation in an amount effective to exert an intended therapeutic effect by delivering one or more metered doses of the API (e.g., epinephrine) to the lungs. In some embodiments, the API (e.g., epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof) is present in an amount of about 0.1% to about 0.5% by weight, about 0.1% to about 0.4% by weight, about 0.2% to about 0.5% by weight, or about 0.2% to about 0.4% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation. In some embodiments, the API (e.g., epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof) is present in an amount of about 0.10%, about 0.11%, about 0.12%, about 0.13%, about 0.14%, about 0.15%, about 0.16%, about 0.17%, about 0.18%, about 0.19%, about 0.20%, about 0.21%, about 0.22%, about 0.23%, about 0.24%, about 0.25%, about 0.26%, about 0.27%, about 0.28%, about 0.29%, about 100%, about 110%, about 120%, about 130%, about 140%, about 150%, about 160%, about 170%, about 180%, about 190%, about 200%, about 210%, about 220%, about 230%, about 240%, about 250%, about 260%, about 270%, about 280%, about 290%, about 300%, about 300%, about 300%, about 310%, about 320%, about 330%, about 340%, about 350%, about 360%, about 370%, about 380%, about 390%, about 400%, about 400%, about 400%, about 410%, about 420%, about 430%, about 440%, about 450%, about 460%, about 470%, about 480%, about 490%, about 500%, about 500%, about 510%, about 520%, about 530%, about 540%, about 550%, about 560%, about 570%, about 580%, about 590%, about 600 0.27%, about 0.28%, about 0.29%, about 0.30%, about 0.31%, about 0.32%, about 0.33%, about 0.34%, about 0.35%, about 0.36%, about 0.37%, about 0.38%, about 0.39%, about 0.40%, about 0.41%, about 0.42%, about 0.43%, about 0.44%, about 0.45%, about 0.46%, about 0.47%, about 0.48%, or about 0.49% by weight. In some embodiments, an MDI containing a formulation comprising an API (e.g., epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof) can deliver an effective amount of the API (e.g., epinephrine) to a patient in a single inhaled dose. Doses of API (eg, epinephrine) delivered in a single inhalation can range from about 50 μg to several hundred mG.For example, the dose of API (e.g., epinephrine) delivered in a single inhalation using the present MDIs can be about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175 ... 0, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, 235, 240, 245, 250, 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 280, 285, 290, 295, 300, 305, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330, 33 5, 340, 345, 350, 355, 360, 365, 370, 375, 380, 385, 390, 395, 400, 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, 435, 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, 480, 485, 490, 495, or about 500 μg, or the dose of API (e.g., epinephrine) delivered in a single inhalation using the MDI may be about 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, or about 300 mg.

[0043] The disclosed epinephrine formulations may include pharma- ceutically acceptable salts of epinephrine, including, but not limited to, epinephrine hydrochloride or epinephrine bitartrate. Alternatively, the epinephrine formulation may include epinephrine free base. In some embodiments, the epinephrine in the formulation consists of epinephrine free base. The disclosed epinephrine formulations may also include a mixture of two or more forms of epinephrine. The disclosed epinephrine formulations may also include one or more derivatives or analogs of epinephrine. The derivatives or analogs may be obtained from natural sources or synthetic routes. Examples of epinephrine derivatives or analogs include, but are not limited to, phenylepinephrine and norepinephrine.

[0044] The disclosed API (e.g., epinephrine) formulations preferably contain the API (e.g., epinephrine) in particulate form. The disclosed API (e.g., epinephrine) formulations including the API (e.g., epinephrine) in particulate form are preferably biocompatible and can optionally affect the delivery rate of the API (e.g., epinephrine). In some embodiments, the API (e.g., epinephrine) in particulate form (e.g., epinephrine free base) is micronized. In some embodiments, the API (e.g., epinephrine) is present in the form of particles having a median diameter (e.g., mass aerodynamic diameter) of 1 μm to 5 μm, preferably about 2 μm, and optionally having a geometric standard deviation of 1 to 2, preferably 1.5 to 1.6. In some embodiments, the API (e.g., epinephrine) in particulate form is obtained by spray drying.

[0045] In addition to the API (e.g., epinephrine), the API (e.g., epinephrine) formulation can further include various pharma- ceutically acceptable excipients. In some embodiments, the API (e.g., epinephrine) formulation includes the API (e.g., epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof) and at least one pharma- ceutically acceptable excipient. Both inorganic and organic materials can be used. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, lipids, phospholipids, fatty acids, inorganic salts, carboxylic acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, tartrates, and various sugars. In some embodiments, the API (e.g., epinephrine) particles are essentially or substantially free of liquid, i.e., the particles are substantially dry.

[0046] The API (e.g., epinephrine) formulation of the present disclosure preferably includes a liquefied propellant as an energy source for delivering the API (e.g., epinephrine) to the lungs. The liquefied propellant can be a hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant selected from 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, also known as HFA-134a, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, also known as HFA-227, 1,1-difluoroethane, also known as HFA-152a, and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, also known as HFO-1234ze(E), or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the hydrofluoroalkane propellant is HFA-134a. In some embodiments, the liquefied propellant (e.g., HFA-134a) is present in an amount of about 95% to about 99.5%, about 96% to about 99%, or about 97% to about 99% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation. In certain embodiments, the liquefied propellant is present at about 97%, 98%, or 99% by weight, particularly about 98% to about 99% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0047] In some embodiments, the liquefied propellant of the present disclosure (or of the propellant-cosolvent mixture, if a cosolvent is present) has a vapor pressure of about 3 bar to about 6 bar (absolute) at 20°C. More specific representative vapor pressures include about 3.1 bar, about 3.2 bar, about 3.3 bar, about 3.4 bar, about 3.5 bar, about 3.6 bar, about 3.7 bar, about 3.8 bar, about 3.9 bar, about 4.0 bar, about 4.1 bar, about 4.2 bar, about 4.3 bar, about 4.4 bar, about 4.5 bar, about 4.6 bar, about 4.7 bar, about 4.8 bar, about 4.9 bar, about 5.0 bar, about 5.1 bar, about 5.2 bar, about 5.3 bar, about 5.4 bar, about 5.5 bar, about 5.6 bar, about 5.7 bar, about 5.8 bar, or about 5.9 bar (absolute) at 20° C., or any range of vapor pressures generated by using two of the foregoing vapor pressures as endpoints. In some embodiments, the liquefied propellant has a vapor pressure at 20° C. of about 3.7 bar to about 4.1 bar, or about 5.5 bar to about 5.9 bar, most preferably about 5.7 bar (absolute).

[0048] In some embodiments, the surface tension of the liquefied propellant (or propellant-cosolvent mixture, if a cosolvent is present) is from about 6 mN / m to about 9 mN / m at 20° C. More specific representative surface tensions include about 6.1 mN / m, about 6.2 mN / m, about 6.3 mN / m, about 6.4 mN / m, about 6.5 mN / m, about 6.6 mN / m, about 6.7 mN / m, about 6.8 mN / m, about 6.9 mN / m, about 7.0 mN / m, about 7.1 mN / m, about 7.2 mN / m, about 7.3 mN / m, about 7.4 mN / m, about 7.5 mN / m, about 7.6 mN / m, about 7.8 mN / m, about 7.9 mN / m, about 8.1 mN / m, about 8.2 mN / m, about 8.3 mN / m, about 8.4 mN / m, about 8.5 mN / m, about 8.6 mN / m, about 8.7 mN / m, about 8.8 mN / m, about 8.9 mN / m, about 9.0 mN / m, about 9.1 mN / m, about 9.2 mN / m, about 9.3 mN / m, about 9.4 mN / m, about 9.5 mN / m, about 9.6 mN / m, about 9.8 mN / m, about 9.9 ... Surface tensions include about 0.7 mN / m, about 7.8 mN / m, about 7.9 mN / m, about 8.0 mN / m, about 8.1 mN / m, about 8.2 mN / m, about 8.3 mN / m, about 8.4 mN / m, about 8.5 mN / m, about 8.6 mN / m, about 8.7 mN / m, about 8.8 mN / m, or about 8.9 mN / m, or any range of surface tensions generated by using two of the foregoing surface tensions as endpoints. In some embodiments, the surface tension of the liquefied propellant (or propellant-cosolvent mixture, if a cosolvent is present) has a surface tension of about 6.8 mN / m to about 7.2 mN / m or about 8.5 mN / m to about 8.9 mN / m at 20°C.

[0049] A co-solvent is preferably included in the API (e.g., epinephrine) formulation of the present disclosure to improve the dispersion properties of the API (e.g., epinephrine) and also to aid in the solubilization of any surfactant that may be present. In certain aspects, the co-solvent promotes the formation of an aerosolized plume or mist of the API (e.g., epinephrine) in fine particles that can reach the therapeutic area of ​​the lung upon delivery. In some embodiments, the co-solvent utilized in the formulation can be selected from ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, propane, butane, isobutane, pentane, dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, and the like, or mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the co-solvent is ethanol. The co-solvent (e.g., ethanol) can be present in the formulation in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight, from about 0.1% to about 3% by weight, or from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation. In certain embodiments, the co-solvent (eg, ethanol) is present at about 0.5%, about 1%, or about 1.5% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation.In some embodiments, the co-solvent (e.g., ethanol) is present in an amount of 0.60%, 0.61%, 0.62%, 0.63%, 0.64%, 0.65%, 0.66%, 0.67%, 0.68%, 0.69%, 0.70%, 0.71%, 0.72%, 0.73%, 0.74%, 0.75%, 0.76%, 0.78%, 0.79%, 0.80%, 0.81%, 0.82%, 0.83%, 0.84%, 0.85%, 0.86%, 0.87%, 0.88%, 0.89%, 0.90%, 0.91%, 0.92%, 0.93%, 0.94%, 0.95%, 0.96%, 0.97%, 0.98%, 0.99%, 100%, 100% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation. Weight%, 0.77% by weight, 0.78% by weight, 0.79% by weight, 0.80% by weight, 0.81% by weight, 0.82% by weight, 0.83% by weight, 0.84% ​​by weight, 0.85% by weight, 0.86% by weight, 0.8 7% by weight, 0.88% by weight, 0.89% by weight, 0.90% by weight, 0.91% by weight, 0.92% by weight, 0.93% by weight, 0.94% by weight, 0.95% by weight, 0.96% by weight, 0.97% by weight, 0. 98% by weight, 0.99% by weight, 1.00% by weight, 1.01% by weight, 1.02% by weight, 1.03% by weight, 1.04% by weight, 1.05% by weight, 1.06% by weight, 1.07% by weight, 1.08% by weight, 1 .09% by weight, 1.10% by weight, 1.11% by weight, 1.12% by weight, 1.13% by weight, 1.14% by weight, 1.15% by weight, 1.16% by weight, 1.17% by weight, 1.18% by weight, 1.19% by weight, 1.20%, 1.21%, 1.22%, 1.23%, 1.24%, 1.25%, 1.26%, 1.27%, 1.28%, 1.29%, 1.30%, 1.31%, 1.32%, 1.33%, 1.34%, 1.35%, 1.36%, 1.37%, 1.38%, 1.39%, or 1.40% by weight. In certain embodiments, the co-solvent (e.g., ethanol) is present at about 1.00% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0050] In certain embodiments, the API (e.g., epinephrine) formulations disclosed in the present disclosure have a neutral pH that allows for the use of metal containers and valves, thereby eliminating any potentially unsafe events such as broken glass or explosive containers, resulting in reduced cost and ease of manufacturing.

[0051] In some embodiments, a surfactant can be added to the API (e.g., epinephrine) formulation to improve suspension properties. The surfactant can be selected from oleic acid, lecithin, and sorbitan oleate, such as sorbitan monooleate and sorbitan trioleate. In some embodiments, the surfactant is sorbitan oleate, such as polysorbate 80. The surfactant is included in the formulation to improve the physical stability of the formulation and ensure consistent delivery of the pharmaceutical agent from the MDI by coating the API (e.g., epinephrine) particles, which in turn prevents particle aggregation, prevents adhesion of particles to the container walls, and provides lubrication to the valve components in the MDI. In certain embodiments, the surfactant (e.g., polysorbate 80) is present at less than 0.05% by weight, less than 0.03% by weight, and particularly about 0.02% by weight of the total weight of the formulation.

[0052] In some embodiments, an antioxidant may be added to the API (e.g., epinephrine) formulation. The antioxidant prevents oxidation of the API (e.g., epinephrine), thereby increasing the stability of the API (e.g., epinephrine) in the formulation. In some aspects, the antioxidant is soluble in the formulation. In some embodiments, the antioxidant is selected from thymol, tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, propyl gallate, sodium metabisulfite, citric acid, and sodium metabisulfite. In certain embodiments, the antioxidant is thymol. In certain embodiments, the antioxidant (e.g., thymol) is present at less than 0.05%, less than 0.03%, less than 0.02%, and particularly about 0.01% by weight of the total weight of the formulation.

[0053] In some embodiments, the epinephrine formulation of the present disclosure includes epinephrine, HFA-134a, ethanol, polysorbate 80, and thymol. In some embodiments, the epinephrine formulation includes 0.19-0.48% by weight epinephrine, 98.49-98.78% by weight HFA-134a, 1% by weight ethanol, 0.02% by weight polysorbate 80, and 0.02% by weight thymol, based on the total weight of the formulation. In some embodiments, the epinephrine formulation includes 0.19% by weight epinephrine, 98.78% by weight HFA-134a, 1% by weight ethanol, 0.02% by weight polysorbate 80, and 0.01% by weight thymol, based on the total weight of the formulation. In some embodiments, the epinephrine formulation comprises 0.27% by weight epinephrine, 98.70% by weight HFA-134a, 1% by weight ethanol, 0.02% by weight polysorbate 80, and 0.01% by weight thymol based on the total weight of the formulation. In some embodiments, the epinephrine formulation comprises 0.35% by weight epinephrine, 98.62% by weight HFA-134a, 1% by weight ethanol, 0.02% by weight polysorbate 80, and 0.01% by weight thymol based on the total weight of the formulation. In some embodiments, the epinephrine formulation comprises 0.48% by weight epinephrine, 98.49% by weight HFA-134a, 1% by weight ethanol, 0.02% by weight polysorbate 80, and 0.01% by weight thymol based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0054] 4.2.3.Treatment method Methods of treatment and use using the disclosed MDIs are also provided herein. In some embodiments, methods of administering an API (e.g., epinephrine) to a patient in need thereof using the disclosed MDIs are provided. In some embodiments, an API (e.g., epinephrine) is provided for use in a patient in need thereof using the disclosed MDIs. In other embodiments, methods of treating a patient in need of an API (e.g., epinephrine) using the disclosed MDIs are provided. In some embodiments, an API (e.g., epinephrine) is provided for use in treating a patient in need thereof using the disclosed MDIs. Additionally, methods for treating a patient in need of rescue therapy for an allergic reaction are contemplated. Thus, in another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of treating an allergic reaction in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an API (e.g., epinephrine) using the disclosed MDIs. In some embodiments, an API (e.g., epinephrine) is provided for use in treating an acute allergic reaction in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the API (e.g., epinephrine) using a disclosed MDI. In some embodiments, the acute allergic reaction is Grade 1 or higher as determined by the World Allergy Organization Subcutaneous Immunotherapy Systemic Reaction Grading System ("WAO Grading System"). (Cox L.et al., J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. (2010) 125(3):569-74). In another embodiment, the acute allergic reaction is Grade 2 or higher as determined by the WAO Grading System. In a further embodiment, the acute allergic reaction is Grade 3 or higher as determined by the WAO Grading System. In a preferred embodiment, the patient is treated for anaphylaxis.

[0055] In some embodiments, the metered dose inhaler is an orientation independent metered dose inhaler, and administration using an orientation independent metered dose inhaler does not affect delivery of the API (e.g., epinephrine) to the patient. In some embodiments, the percentage of the delivered API (e.g., epinephrine) dose administered to the larynx, pharynx, and lungs using the disclosed metered dose inhalers is at least 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% with the device at a lateral insertion angle compared to the percentage delivered to the larynx, pharynx, and lungs with the device at a coaxial insertion as determined by S-AIT testing at a flow rate of 30 L / min.

[0056] In some embodiments, the dose of epinephrine administered to the patient may be selected to approximately correspond to a dose sufficient to induce muscle tremors in the patient. In some embodiments, the epinephrine is administered shortly after the onset of the anaphylactic reaction, for example, within 5 minutes, 4 minutes, 3 minutes, 2 minutes, or 1 minute after the onset of the reaction. In certain embodiments, a method of treating anaphylaxis or epinephrine for use in treating anaphylaxis in a patient includes determining an approximate effective dose of inhalable epinephrine according to the methods described herein and administering the approximate effective dose of inhalable epinephrine to the patient after the onset of the anaphylactic reaction. In some embodiments, the epinephrine is administered a first time shortly after the onset of the anaphylactic reaction and again a second time if the anaphylactic reaction returns. Thus, in another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of treating an anaphylactic reaction or epinephrine for use in treating an anaphylactic reaction, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of epinephrine (e.g., by administering two puffs) using a disclosed MDI once every 1 to 10 minutes, for example, once every 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 minutes, until the anaphylactic reaction is ameliorated. In a specific embodiment, the treatment comprises administering two puffs of epinephrine every 60 seconds until clinical resolution of allergic symptoms is obtained. In a preferred embodiment, the treatment comprises administering two puffs of epinephrine periodically (e.g., every 60 seconds) until the patient shows a physiological response to the treatment (e.g., tachycardia, tremors, or both). Such a physiological response closely correlates with the resolution of anaphylactic symptoms.

[0057] In some embodiments, the methods of treatment and use include increasing the delivery of an API (e.g., epinephrine) to the larynx. In some embodiments, the disclosed MDIs provide a laryngeal dose of an API (e.g., epinephrine) that is 1.6-3.6 times greater than the dose provided by prior art MDIs (e.g., MDI Primatene Mist™ (HFA) having an actuator orifice diameter of about 0.42 mm). Methods of treating or reducing the likelihood of respiratory obstruction during an anaphylactic reaction that improve the treatment of anaphylaxis are also contemplated herein. Thus, in another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of treating or reducing the likelihood of respiratory obstruction during an anaphylactic reaction or epinephrine for use in treating or reducing the likelihood of respiratory obstruction during an anaphylactic reaction, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of epinephrine using the disclosed MDIs. In some embodiments, the disclosed MDIs provide a laryngopharyngeal dose of epinephrine that significantly improves the treatment of laryngopharyngeal edema. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of treating laryngopharyngeal edema during an anaphylactic reaction, or epinephrine for use in treating laryngopharyngeal edema during an anaphylactic reaction, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of epinephrine using a disclosed MDI. In some embodiments, the method of treatment or use provides a rapid onset of action as determined by clinical evaluation. In certain embodiments, the onset of action is less than 120 seconds, less than 90 seconds, or less than 60 seconds, preferably within 30-60 seconds, after the treatment is administered, as determined by clinical evaluation.

[0058] In some embodiments, the method of treatment or use comprises increasing the delivery of an API (e.g., epinephrine) to the lungs (e.g., bronchi, bronchioles, and / or alveoli). In certain embodiments, the disclosed MDIs provide a pulmonary dose of greater than 20%, greater than 25%, greater than 30%, greater than 35%, greater than 40%, greater than 45%, or greater than 50% by weight of the total weight of the API (e.g., epinephrine) in the administered dose of the formulation, preferably greater than 40% by weight of the total weight of the API (e.g., epinephrine) in the administered dose of the formulation.

[0059] In some embodiments, the plasma concentration of an API (e.g., epinephrine) achieved using an MDI of the present disclosure is significantly less variable than an API (e.g., epinephrine) administered by injection, thereby providing an advantage over intramuscular administration. In some embodiments, administration using an MDI of the present disclosure results in reduced peak and peak-to-peak systemic API (e.g., epinephrine) concentrations (C max and T max This reduced variability, i.e., increased reliability, in the delivery of the API (e.g., epinephrine) to the lungs as particles in a substantially dry form facilitates rapid absorption and time to peak plasma concentration, further improving the therapeutic benefit of the API (e.g., epinephrine), e.g., its ability to halt a rapidly developing anaphylactic reaction.

[0060] In certain embodiments, in addition to the benefits discussed above, MDIs of the present disclosure having the disclosed actuator orifices with effective diameters and co-solvent concentrations provide inhalable dosing that increases delivery of an API (e.g., epinephrine) to targeted areas of the larynx, pharynx, and lungs while reducing the administered dose (e.g., metered volume of the inhalation plume).

[0061] In another embodiment, a kit is provided for "treatment of a patient in need of an API (e.g., epinephrine for the treatment of anaphylaxis). Such a kit may include an MDI of the present disclosure and instructions for use. In some embodiments, the kit includes an MDI according to the present disclosure that is ready for use (e.g., the canister is placed into the actuator). In some embodiments, the kit includes one or more actuators and one or more canisters according to the present invention in a single package, where the canister and actuator are separate parts, and may optionally also include instructions for combining and using them.

[0062] 4.2.4. Numbered embodiments (Embodiment 1) 1. A kit for making a pressurized metered dose inhaler, comprising: a canister containing a formulation including an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API); an actuator adapted to receive the canister, the actuator having one or more orifices having an effective diameter of about 0.12 mm to about 0.33 mm; A kit comprising:

[0063] (Embodiment 2) 2. The kit of embodiment 1, wherein the API is in a suspension.

[0064] (Embodiment 3) The kit of embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, wherein the API is epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[0065] (Embodiment 4) The kit according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the effective diameter of the one or more orifices is from about 0.14 mm to about 0.31 mm.

[0066] (Embodiment 5) 5. The kit of embodiment 4, wherein the effective diameter of the one or more orifices is from about 0.16 mm to about 0.29 mm.

[0067] (Embodiment 6) The kit of embodiment 5, wherein the effective diameter of the one or more orifices is from about 0.18 mm to about 0.27 mm.

[0068] (Embodiment 7) 7. The kit of embodiment 6, wherein the effective diameter of the one or more orifices is about 0.20 mm to about 0.25 mm.

[0069] (Embodiment 8) 8. The kit of embodiment 7, wherein the effective diameter of the one or more orifices is from about 0.21 mm to about 0.23 mm.

[0070] (Embodiment 9) 9. The kit of embodiment 8, wherein the effective diameter of the one or more orifices is about 0.22 mm.

[0071] (Embodiment 10) 10. The kit of embodiment 9, wherein the effective diameter of the one or more orifices is 0.22 mm.

[0072] (Embodiment 11) The kit of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more orifices are circular.

[0073] (Embodiment 12) The kit of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more orifices comprise one or more peanut-shaped, clover-shaped, cross-shaped or slot-shaped orifices.

[0074] (Embodiment 13) The kit according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the actuator has a single orifice.

[0075] (Embodiment 14) The kit according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the actuator has a plurality of orifices.

[0076] (Embodiment 15) The formulation comprises: A liquefied propellant; A co-solvent; The kit according to any one of embodiments 1 to 14, further comprising:

[0077] (Embodiment 16) The kit of embodiment 15, wherein the co-solvent is present at about 0.1% by weight to about 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0078] (Embodiment 17) The kit of embodiment 16, wherein the co-solvent is present at about 0.1% by weight to about 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0079] (Embodiment 18) The kit of embodiment 17, wherein the co-solvent is present at about 0.1% by weight to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0080] (Embodiment 19) The kit according to any one of embodiments 15 to 18, wherein the co-solvent is ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, propane, butane, isobutene, pentane, dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, or a mixture thereof.

[0081] (Embodiment 20) The kit of embodiment 19, wherein the co-solvent is ethanol.

[0082] (Embodiment 21) The kit of any one of embodiments 15 to 20, wherein the liquefied propellant is present at about 95% to about 99.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0083] (Embodiment 22) The kit of embodiment 21, wherein the liquefied propellant is present at about 96% to about 99% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0084] (Embodiment 23) The kit of embodiment 22, wherein the liquefied propellant is present at about 97% to about 99% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0085] (Embodiment 24) The kit according to any one of embodiments 15 to 23, wherein the liquefied propellant has a vapor pressure at 20° C. of about 5.5 bar to about 5.9 bar (absolute), preferably about 5.7 bar (absolute).

[0086] (Embodiment 25) 24. The kit of any one of embodiments 15-23, wherein the liquefied propellant is 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFA-134a), 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (HFA-227), or a mixture thereof.

[0087] (Embodiment 26) The kit of embodiment 25, wherein the liquefied propellant is 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFA-134a).

[0088] (Embodiment 27) The kit of any one of embodiments 15-26, wherein the API is present at about 0.1% to about 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0089] (Embodiment 28) The kit of embodiment 27, wherein the API is present at about 0.1% to about 0.4% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0090] (Embodiment 29) The kit of embodiment 28, wherein the API is present at about 0.1% to about 0.3% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0091] (Embodiment 30) The kit of any one of embodiments 15-29, wherein the API is epinephrine free base.

[0092] (Embodiment 31) The kit of any one of embodiments 15 to 30, wherein the formulation further comprises a surfactant.

[0093] (Embodiment 32) The kit of embodiment 31, wherein the surfactant is selected from mono- or poly-sorbitan oleate, oleic acid, and lecithin.

[0094] (Embodiment 33) The kit according to any one of embodiments 15 to 21, wherein the formulation further comprises an antioxidant.

[0095] (Embodiment 34) The kit of embodiment 33, wherein the antioxidant is selected from thymol, tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, propyl gallate, citric acid, sodium metabisulfite, and sodium sulfite.

[0096] (Embodiment 35) the API is epinephrine free base in suspension at a concentration of 1.9% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation; the liquefied propellant is 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFA-134a); the co-solvent is about 1% by weight of ethanol based on the total weight of the formulation; The formulation comprises: Polysorbate 80, Thymor and Further comprising: The kit of embodiment 15, wherein the formulation does not contain sulfite.

[0097] (Embodiment 36) The kit of any one of embodiments 15 to 35, capable of delivering a dose of epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof such that, when the metered dose inhaler is in a transverse orientation, the percentage of the delivered dose that reaches the larynx, pharynx and lungs is at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, of the percentage of the delivered dose that reaches the larynx, pharynx and lungs when the metered dose inhaler is in a coaxial orientation, as determined using a Sectioned Alberta Idealized Throat at a flow rate of 30 L / min. EXAMPLES

[0098] 5. Working Example The following example relates to the development of a novel treatment for anaphylaxis using aerosolized epinephrine. A Sectioned Alberta Idealized Throat (S-AIT) device was constructed from photopolymer RDG850 (VeroGray™, Stratasys, Eden Prairie, Minnesota) to allow estimation of deposition in three regions of interest within the extrathoracic airway (e.g., oral cavity, larynx, and upper trachea). The S-AIT showing these anatomical regions is shown in FIG. 2.

[0099] The S-AIT was used to evaluate deposition patterns obtained with commercially available Primatene Mist HFA (a suspension MDI formulated with HFA-134a delivering micronized epinephrine; Amphastar Pharmaceutics) in delivering epinephrine to the area within the S-AIT and to downstream filters. Lung dose (modeled by filter dose) is an important metric in treating bronchospasm and anaphylaxis due to rapid uptake of epinephrine into the systemic circulation, while delivery to the larynx and pharynx is desirable for treating or reducing the likelihood of upper airway obstruction.

[0100] Example 1: Epinephrine Deposition by Commercially Available Primatene Mist HFA MDI Drug delivery was quantified by actuating the MDI directly into the filter to capture the dose of drug released from the device at flow rates of 10, 30, 60 or 100 L / min using the experimental setup described in the United States Pharmacopeia, USP 44(5) General Chapter <601> The USP Inhalation and Nasal Drug Products - Aerosols, Sprays, and Powders - Performance Quality Tests. 2019 was used with the following modifications: A bacterial / viral filter (VP7100 viral / viral filter, KEGO) was used to capture the dose emitted by the MDI instead of the dose unit sampling device (DUSA) as specified in the USP. In both methods, the inhaler is actuated directly into the filter / DUSA at an inhalation flow rate of 30 L / min, the MDI is shaken for 5 seconds before each actuation, the MDI is actuated and held for 1-2 seconds, the vacuum pump draws air through the inhaler, the filter / DUSA is turned off after 10 seconds, and the volume released by the MDI and deposited on the inner surface of the filter / DUSA is assayed by the appropriate method.

[0101] Three actuations were delivered during each test, corresponding to the nominal label claim of 375 μg epinephrine (3 × 125 μg) for the commercial formulation. 30 L / min is considered the ideal target inhalation flow rate for MDIs (e.g., Laube et al., Eur Respir J. 2011, 37(6):1308-31). Deposition patterns obtained with the commercial Primatene Mist HFA MDI were examined using the S-AIT and downstream filter. Tests were performed using two inhaler insertion angles to investigate the effect of inhaler orientation on deposition. The inhaler was oriented (a) coaxially with the axis of the S-AIT buccal cavity at 29° from the horizontal, or (b) laterally toward the "tongue" of the S-AIT along the horizontal axis at 0° (see FIG. 3) to determine the dependence of deposition on insertion angle.

[0102] (Quantification of deposition) Prior to testing, the inner section of the S-AIT was coated with silicone grease (Molykote 316; Dow Corning). After allowing sufficient time for the solvent to evaporate (approximately 15 min), the six sections of the S-AIT were assembled and vacuum grease (High Vacuum Grease, Dow Corning) was applied between the mating surfaces to create an airtight seal. A mouthpiece adapter (coaxial or transverse) was then fixed to the inlet of the S-AIT and a filter (Inhalation 8 Viral / Bacterial Filter; KEGO Corporation) was placed downstream to capture any dose of deposits that leaked into the extrathoracic region. A vacuum pump (RV5; Edwards) was used to generate airflow through the MDI, S-AIT, and downstream filter, and the target flow rate was set by a control valve and monitored by a flow meter (Model 4043, TSI). A schematic diagram of the experimental setup is shown in Figure 4.

[0103] At the start of each test, the vacuum pump was turned on and the flow rate was set to a target of 30 L / min (volumetric). The MDI was shaken vigorously for 3-5 seconds and then placed into the mouthpiece adapter and immediately actuated into the S-AIT. After 5 seconds, the MDI was removed from the mouthpiece adapter and the process repeated until a total of 3 actuations had been delivered to the throat and filter. The label claim for Primatene Mist HFA is 125 μg epinephrine per dose, so the nominal total label claim for each test was 375 μg.

[0104] The S-AIT and downstream filter were then disassembled and subjected to chemical assay by UV spectroscopy. The top, middle, and bottom of the S-AIT were washed twice with 10 mL, 10 mL, and 5 mL of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid, respectively, and the filter was washed three times with 10 mL of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid. The corresponding drug mass in each sample was quantified by UV absorbance against a standard at a maximum wavelength of 279 nm using a diode array UV-vis spectrophotometer (Cary 8454; Agilent). The sum of the drug mass recovered from the top, middle, and bottom of the S-AIT, together with the downstream filter, was equal to the total recovered dose of each test. Suspension MDIs are known to exhibit variable drug delivery between actuations and over the life of the canister (e.g., Hatley et al., Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv. 2016, 30(1):71-9 and Chierici et al., Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2020, 17(7):1025-39). Therefore, in vitro deposition in each region of interest was normalized by the total recovered dose for each individual test to remove such sources of variability from the results.

[0105] Prior to each trial, the MDI canister was primed with one shot. Five replicates were obtained for each orientation (n=5). A block of trials utilizing a coaxial insertion angle was performed first, followed by a block of trials utilizing a lateral insertion angle. Environmental conditions in the laboratory were monitored with a digital hygrometer / thermometer (MI70 measurement indicator with HMP75B humidity and temperature probe; Vaisala). Temperature ranged from 22.4 to 23.8 °C and relative humidity ranged from 4.1 to 21.3%.

[0106] (Results and Analysis) Deposition measured in the S-AIT and in each section of the downstream filter (reflecting delivery to the lungs) for the commercially available Primatene MDI at flow rates of 10, 30, 60, and 100 L / min is summarized in Table 1. At 30 L / min, the mean recovered doses ranged from 349.8 ± 40.9 μg (mean ± standard deviation) for the coaxial orientation to 368.4 ± 12.9 μg for the transverse orientation. These mean recovered doses, corresponding to 93.3 to 98.2% of the nominal label claim, indicated that total recovery was adequate. Table 1. Measured deposition of epinephrine in the region of interest expressed as a percentage of the recovered dose at inhalation flow rates of 10, 30, 60, and 100 L / min. Values ​​are reported as means with standard deviations in brackets (n=3). Mean values ​​across both inhaler orientations are also reported (n=6). [Table 1]

[0107] The fraction of the delivered epinephrine dose that results in laryngeal and filter deposition is dependent on the insertion angle of the device. As the flow rate is increased from 10 to 100 L / min, the dependence of laryngeal and filter dose deposition on insertion angle decreases linearly (51.2% coaxial to 28.4% lateral, 64.0% coaxial to 40.2% lateral, 67.2% coaxial to 55.0% lateral, and 68.0% coaxial to 71.1% lateral), while the mean combined laryngeal and filter dose deposition increases linearly (39.8%, 52.1%, 61.1%, and 69.5%).

[0108] At 30 L / min, approximately 30-50% of the dose is deposited in the oral cavity (33.2% coaxial, 57.0% lateral), and a significant dependence on insertion angle is observed in the laryngeal dose (5.0% coaxial vs. 7.6% lateral), filter dose (58.9% coaxial vs. 32.6% lateral), and total dose delivered to these therapeutic target areas (64.0% coaxial vs. 40.2% lateral).

[0109] Example 2: Effect of actuator orifice diameter on deposition at 30 L / min The deposition patterns obtained with Primatene Mist HFA delivered from MDI actuators with various orifice diameters were compared using S-AIT and downstream filters as described in Example 1. MDI actuators with various orifice diameters were tested. Three actuator orifice diameters, including 0.42, 0.33, and 0.22 mm (part numbers 10028865=BK631, 10016813=BK632, and 10016819=BK633, respectively; Bespak, Consort Medical), were selected for testing from a larger set of five nominal diameters, including 0.48, 0.42, 0.33, 0.30, and 0.22 mm. Primatene Mist HFA canisters with lot numbers PR302D8 and PR303E8 were used during testing. Coaxial testing was performed with canisters with lot number PR302D8. Lateral testing was performed using canisters with lot number PR303E8. After each day of testing, the actuators were washed with warm soapy tap water, then rinsed with DIUF water and dried with compressed building air.

[0110] Prior to each day of testing, each MDI canister was primed by firing two shots to waste. No differences were observed between total depositions compared to priming to waste one shot prior to each test (e.g., total recovered dose was approximately 360 μg for both priming methods for the commercial orifice diameters in Tables 1 and 2). The testing order of the three actuator orifice diameters was randomized. Five replicate measurements were obtained (n=5) for each actuator orifice diameter. A block of tests utilizing a coaxial insertion angle was performed first, followed by a block of tests utilizing a lateral insertion angle. Environmental conditions in the laboratory were monitored with a digital hygrometer / thermometer (MI70 measurement indicator with HMP75B humidity and temperature probe; Vaisala) to indicate temperatures ranging from 22 to 25°C and relative humidity ranging from 4 to 20%.

[0111] In the first series of tests, deposition patterns were evaluated for each of the three actuators at a flow rate of 30 L / min. Tests were performed using the inhaler in either a coaxial or transverse orientation.

[0112] (Results and Analysis) The deposition measured in each section of the S-AIT and downstream filter at a flow rate of 30 L / min for selected actuator orifice diameters is summarized in Table 2. Figures 5 and 6 provide further details on the deposition obtained with coaxial and lateral insertion angles, respectively, and Figure 7 compares the deposition in each region of interest with coaxial and lateral orientations for each orifice diameter. Figure 8 shows the total deposition on the laryngopharynx and filter for the orifice diameters tested. The mean recovered doses ranged from 298.3 ± 18.9 μg (mean ± standard deviation) for the 0.22 mm orifice in the coaxial orientation to 378.8 ± 35.7 μg for the 0.42 mm orifice in the lateral orientation. These mean recovered doses corresponded to 79.5% to 101.0% of the nominal label claim, indicating that total recovery was adequate. Table 2. Measured deposition of epinephrine in the region of interest expressed as a percentage of the recovered dose for various actuator orifice diameters at an inhalation flow rate of 30 L / min. Values ​​are reported as the mean with standard deviation in brackets (n=5). [Table 2]

[0113] For the largest actuator orifice of 0.42 mm, about 50% of the dose is deposited in the oral cavity (42.4% coaxial, 54.3% lateral), and a significant dependence on insertion angle is observed for the laryngeal dose (25.9% coaxial vs. 16.0% lateral) and the combined laryngeal and filter dose (54.5% coaxial vs. 42.9% lateral). The 0.33 mm orifice diameter reduces the dependence of the laryngeal and oral doses on insertion angle, but the oral dose (about 44%) and filter dose (about 28%) are similar to the averages obtained with the larger 0.42 mm orifice diameter and coaxial insertion angle, and the combined laryngeal and filter dose is essentially independent of insertion angle (51.4% coaxial vs. 51.9% lateral). For the smallest orifice diameter of 0.22 mm, deposition in all regions of interest appears to be essentially independent of the inhaler orientation. While oral deposition was significantly reduced to approximately 27.5% of the recovered dose, the filter dose increased to approximately 42%, most evident in Figure 7. The combined laryngeal and filter dose increased and was essentially independent of inhaler orientation (69.4% coaxial vs. 66.5% lateral).

[0114] Several conclusions are supported by this data. First, compared to the 0.42 mm orifice diameter, the smaller 0.33 mm and 0.22 mm orifice diameters provide more consistent deposition in the target area of ​​therapeutic interest with respect to the inhaler insertion angle. Second, using the 0.22 mm orifice diameter reduces delivery to the oral cavity. Third, using the 0.22 mm orifice diameter increases delivery to the lungs while maintaining the proportion of the dose delivered to the laryngopharyngeal region, thereby increasing delivery to the therapeutic area of ​​interest (a laryngeal dose of approximately 25% of the total recovered dose was observed at an inhalation flow rate of 30 L / min).

[0115] Considering the S-AIT to be analogous to the extrathoracic region in vivo, these results suggest that the commercially available Primatene Mist HFA canister could be modified by using a smaller actuator orifice (e.g., 0.22 mm) instead of the larger actuator orifice in the commercially available Primatene Mist HFA MDI to reduce the dependency of inhaler performance on the insertion angle, maintain a high dose in the larynx, and increase the dose delivered to the lungs by shifting deposition from the oral cavity to the lungs. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors believe that these effects are caused in part by a reduction in the momentum of the spray emitted from the MDI when an actuator with a smaller orifice diameter is used, thereby reducing deposition in the oral cavity. Given these favorable shifts in deposition, the 0.22 mm actuator orifice was selected as a good candidate for further testing over a range of flow rates, as discussed in the next section.

[0116] Example 3: Deposition behavior at various flow rates for an orifice diameter of 0.22 mm Deposition of Primatene Mist HFA delivered using a 0.22 mm diameter actuator orifice was quantified in the S-AIT and downstream filter at multiple inhalation flow rates of interest (including 10, 30, 60, and 100 L / min). The method used to quantify deposition was the same as described in the previous section (see Figure 4), with the inhalation flow rate changed to the value of interest. Environmental conditions were measured using a digital hygrometer / thermometer. Temperature ranged from 21.5 to 23.5°C, and relative humidity ranged from 40 to 65%. The nominal label claim for each experiment was again 375 μg (3 x 125 μg) epinephrine. Canisters from lot numbers PR302D8 and PR303E8 were again used in this round of testing.

[0117] Deposition was first measured at a flow rate of 30 L / min for both coaxial and transverse insertion angles, followed by measurements at flow rates of 60, 100, and 10 L / min, followed by an additional series of experiments at a flow rate of 30 L / min. Three replicate measurements were made at inlet flow rates of 10, 60, and 100 L / min (n=3). For 30 L / min, six replicate measurements were made, and the data were cross-referenced to those obtained in the previous section for 30 L / min and a 0.22 mm actuator orifice diameter (where five replicate measurements were made) for a total of 11 replicate measurements (n=11). Environmental conditions were again measured using a hygrometer / thermometer. Temperatures ranged from 21.5 to 23.5°C, and relative humidity ranged from 40 to 65%.

[0118] (Results and Analysis) The deposition measured in each section of the S-AIT and downstream filter using a 0.22 mm actuator orifice at the flow rates of interest is summarized in Table 3. Figures 9 and 10 provide further details on the deposition obtained with coaxial and lateral insertion angles, respectively, and Figure 11 compares the deposition in each region of interest with coaxial and lateral orientations across the flow rates of interest. Figure 12 shows the total deposition on the larynx and filter for the orifice diameters tested.

[0119] The recovered doses ranged from 241.1 ± 26.0 μg for transverse orientation at 10 L / min to 356.2 ± 30.8 μg for transverse orientation at 30 L / min. This wider variability in the recovered dose than observed in the first set of experiments described above is likely related to the use of canisters with higher dose counts. For flow rates of 30, 60, and 100 L / min, the laryngeal dose is consistently between 19 and 26% of the recovered dose regardless of inhaler orientation (equivalent to 71 to 98 μg of epinephrine for a 375 μg dose). At 10 L / min, the laryngeal dose is nearly halved to approximately 12.5% ​​of the recovered dose. The filter dose was between 40 and 58% of the recovered dose at all flow rates. Table 3: Epinephrine deposition measured in the region of interest expressed as a percentage of the recovered dose for a 0.22 mm actuator orifice diameter at various inhalation flow rates. Values ​​are reported as means with standard deviations in brackets (n=3). Mean values ​​across both inhaler orientations are also reported (n=6). [Table 3] *For data at 30 L / min, n=11 (for average of two orientations, n=22).

[0120] Figures 13-16 compare deposition in each region of interest from a commercially available Primatene Mist HFA actuator with a 0.22 mm actuator at inlet flow rates of 10, 30, 60, and 100 L / min, respectively.

[0121] Figures 17, 18 and 19 show the effect of the 0.22 mm actuator orifice on deposition in the larynx, the filter and both the larynx and the filter. Figure 17 shows that the 0.22 mm actuator delivers a significantly larger dose to the larynx than the commercial actuator at all flow rates. Considering the average deposition across both inhaler orientations, the 0.22 mm orifice delivers 1.6 times (at 100 L / min) to 3.6 times (at 30 L / min) of epinephrine to the larynx as the commercial actuator. Figure 18 shows that with the 0.22 mm actuator orifice, filter deposition remains high (>40% for all flow rates and inhaler orientations) and deposition varies less between the coaxial and transverse orientations than with the commercial actuator, especially at the slower flow rates of 10, 30 and 60 L / min. FIG. 19 shows that there is an overall increase in deposition on the larynx and filter (eg, the desired treatment area) using the 0.22 mm actuator.

[0122] Going from 10 L / min to 100 L / min, less dependence of larynx and filter dose deposition on insertion angle was observed compared to the commercial actuators in Table 1 (59.9% lateral vs. 64.9% coaxial, 64.6% lateral vs. 66.2% coaxial, 78.1% lateral vs. 73.1% coaxial, and 78.7% lateral vs. 72.1% coaxial), but the combined larynx and filter dose deposition was observed to be higher at all flow rates (62.4% vs. 39.8%, 65.4% vs. 52.1%, 75.6% vs. 61.1%, and 75.4% vs. 69.5%). At flow rates of 30 L / min and above, the combined larynx and filter dose was essentially independent of insertion angle.

[0123] Example 4: Measurement of particle size distribution and prediction of local lung deposition of epinephrine delivered using a 0.22 mm actuator Particle size distribution of epinephrine delivered using a 0.22 mm actuator was performed using the experimental setup shown in FIG. 20. Briefly, a Next Generation Impactor (Model 170 NGI; Copley) was used to capture the dose exiting a normal unsectioned AIT (used here to minimize assay steps) at an inhalation flow rate of 30 L / min. Prior to testing, the inner surfaces of the AIT and impact plate in the NGI were coated with silicone grease (Molykote 316; Dow Corning). The inhaler was handled and actuated according to the method described earlier in this report, with three actuations per test (nominal label claim of 375 μg epinephrine). After actuation, the AIT was washed twice with 10 mL of 0.1 N HCl and each plate of the NGI was washed once with 5 mL of 0.1 N HCl. Samples were assayed by UV spectroscopy with absorbance at a maximum of 279 nm, as described above.

[0124] Testing was performed using a 0.22 mm actuator orifice with a Primatene Mist HFA. Both transverse and coaxial insertion angles were used, with three replicate measurements at each orientation. Particle size distributions were characterized by calculation of the mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) by linear interpolation (e.g., Hinds WC. 2nd ed., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley; 1999). Using a validated regional lung deposition model (e.g., Javaheri et al., J Aerosol Sci. 2013, 64:81-93 and Finlay et al., Lung Delivery of Aerosolized Dextran. 2000, 161:91-7), tracheobronchial and alveolar deposition was estimated from particle size distributions measured under simulated breathing with an inhalation volume of 3.0 L, an inhalation flow rate of 30 L / min, (i) a pause between inhalations of 0 or (ii) 10 seconds, and an expiratory flow rate of 30 L / min. The density of epinephrine was calculated to be 1.283 g / cm. 3 and air density is 1.2 kg / m 3 The dynamic viscosity of air is 1.85×10 5 kg m -1 s -1 It was decided.

[0125] (result) Table 4 summarizes the measurements in the NGI obtained with a 0.22 mm actuator orifice. The distribution obtained with this orifice had an MMAD of about 2 μm and a GSD of about 1.63 and did not appear to be affected by the insertion angle. Table 5 shows the predicted total lung dose and the distribution of deposition between the tracheobronchial airways and the alveolar region for pauses between inspiration and expiration of 0 and 10 seconds. For a given breath-hold, the results differ negligibly for both insertion angles. Without a breath-hold, the total lung dose is about 212 μg, with about 37 μg deposited in the tracheobronchial airways and the remaining about 175 μg deposited in the alveolar region. With a 10 second breath-hold, the total lung dose increases significantly to about 252 μg due to an increase in deposition in the alveolar region to about 213 μg (the tracheobronchial dose is about 39 μg, showing a negligible increase compared to the no breath-hold case). Table 4: Deposition measured in the NGI using a 0.22 mm actuator orifice, along with previously reported data for commercially available actuators. Mean, standard deviation in brackets. MMAD = median aerodynamic mass, GSD = geometric standard deviation. [Table 4] * Depositions reported previously for commercial actuators; here, MMAD and GSD calculated for commercial products using linear interpolation. Table 5: Predicted regional lung deposition for a 0.22 mm actuator for inhalation at 30 L / min, inhalation volume of 3.0 L, and exhalation at 30 L / min. [Table 5]

[0126] These results indicate that the majority of the dose entering the lung is likely deposited within the alveolar region given the small particle size distribution of epinephrine measured downstream of AIT. Longer breath-holding likely increases the dose deposited in the lung via an increase in the alveolar dose. For a given breath-hold duration, the results were consistent regardless of inhaler insertion angle, indicating that 0.22 mm may provide a fairly robust platform for delivering epinephrine over a reasonable range of insertion angles.

[0127] (overview) Four studies were conducted to evaluate the feasibility of different approaches to optimize deposition of aerosolized epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis. In the first study, delivery of epinephrine to various regions of interest with the commercially available Primatene Mist HFA MDI was examined using an S-AIT and downstream filter at an inhalation flow rate of 30 L / min. In the second study, it was shown that using an MDI actuator with a smaller orifice than the commercially available Primatene Mist HFA actuator can significantly affect local deposition within the S-AIT and downstream filter at an inhalation flow rate of 30 L / min. Laryngeal deposition was significantly increased with the smallest orifice size of 0.22 mm, while filter deposition remained high. The smaller orifice provided the added benefit of reducing the effect of the inhaler insertion angle on deposition. In a third study, testing with a 0.22 mm orifice over a range of flow rates (10, 30, 60, and 100 L / min) confirmed that laryngeal doses were consistently higher (1.6-3.6 times higher) than those achieved with the commercially available Primatene Mist HFA MDI, while filter doses remained high (>40% of the recovered dose). Deposition patterns also showed a decreased dependence on inhaler insertion angle at flow rates above 10 L / min (e.g., 10, 30, and 60 L / min). In a fourth study, modeling of particle size distribution and regional lung deposition suggested that a large proportion of the dose reaching the lungs would be expected to be deposited in the alveolar region and that a breath hold between inhalation and exhalation may provide a means to enhance the alveolar and total lung doses. Overall, these results suggest that the use of a smaller orifice actuator (e.g., an actuator with an orifice of 0.22 mm diameter) provides a good candidate for optimizing the deposition of aerosolized epinephrine.

[0128] Example 5: Oral Inhaled Epinephrine for the Treatment of Anaphylaxis A clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of orally inhaled epinephrine treatment in patients experiencing grade 2 or higher acute allergic reactions as determined by the WAO grading system in a physician's office setting upon exposure to antigen by oral or injection challenge with food, drug, allergen extract or vaccine. Institutional review board approval for the study was obtained and informed consent was obtained from study participants. Study participants developing in-office acute allergic reactions were treated with metabisulfite-free epinephrine (Primatene Mist HFA, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals) delivered by oral inhalation via a Bespak BK633 actuator with a single orifice of 0.22 mm diameter. One to four doses of orally inhaled epinephrine were administered at 60-second intervals until complete clinical resolution of symptoms was obtained. This onset of physiological response to treatment (increased heart rate, tremors or both) correlated closely with and was generally consistent with complete resolution of acute allergic reaction symptoms. Any recurrence of allergic symptoms was treated with further doses of orally inhaled epinephrine. Each dose consisted of two puffs providing a nominal dose of 125 mg epinephrine per puff. At the investigator's discretion, 0.3 mg epinephrine could be administered by intramuscular injection at any time as standard of care if the clinical response to orally inhaled epinephrine was deemed inadequate.

[0129] Participants were monitored for physiological response to epinephrine treatment (e.g., patient's subjective perception of body or hand tremors, patient's subjective perception of increased heart rate), timing of physiological response after initiation of treatment, complete resolution of allergic symptoms, and time to complete resolution of clinical symptoms after initiation of treatment. Table 6 shows the patient outcomes from the clinical trial and Table 7 shows the patient symptoms. Table 6: Clinical trial results [Table 6] Table 7: Clinical Trial Symptoms [Table 7]

[0130] Orally inhaled epinephrine provided rapid resolution of clinical symptoms, including both laryngopharyngeal and systemic symptoms, in all study participants. In two instances, symptoms recurred after initial resolution and again promptly resolved after additional doses of orally inhaled epinephrine were administered. No study participants required treatment with intramuscular epinephrine.

[0131] All U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications, and non-patent literature (including U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 165,102, filed March 23, 2021) mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0132] Although the foregoing devices, compositions, and methods have been described in some detail for ease of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered as illustrative rather than restrictive, and the claimed invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. (a) A canister comprising: an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) selected from epinephrine and pharma- ceutically acceptable salts thereof; A liquefied propellant; A co-solvent; a canister containing a formulation comprising (b) an actuator having one or more orifices with an effective diameter between 0.12 mm and 0.33 mm; A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler comprising:

2. 10. The pressurized oral metered dose inhaler of claim 1, wherein the API is in a suspension.

3. 2. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the liquefied propellant has a vapour pressure of from 5.5 bar to 5.9 bar (absolute).

4. 3. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the liquefied propellant has a vapour pressure of from 5.5 bar to 5.9 bar (absolute).

5. 2. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the effective diameter of the one or more orifices is between 0.21 mm and 0.23 mm.

6. 3. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the effective diameter of the one or more orifices is between 0.21 mm and 0.23 mm.

7. 2. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the effective diameter of the one or more orifices is 0.22 mm.

8. 3. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the effective diameter of the one or more orifices is 0.22 mm.

9. 2. The pressurized oral metered dose inhaler of claim 1, wherein the one or more orifices are circular.

10. 3. The pressurized oral metered dose inhaler of claim 2, wherein the one or more orifices are circular.

11. 10. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 9, wherein the actuator has a single orifice.

12. 11. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 10, wherein the actuator has a single orifice.

13. 2. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the co-solvent is present at from 0.1% to 4% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation.

14. 3. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the co-solvent is present at from 0.1% to 4% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation.

15. 2. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the liquefied propellant is present at 95% to 99.5% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation.

16. 3. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the liquefied propellant is present at 95% to 99.5% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation.

17. 2. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the API is present at 0.1% to 0.5% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation.

18. 3. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the API is present at 0.1% to 0.5% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation.

19. 2. The pressurized oral metered dose inhaler of claim 1, wherein the API is epinephrine free base.

20. 3. The pressurized oral metered dose inhaler of claim 2, wherein the API is epinephrine free base.

21. 10. The pressurized oral metered dose inhaler of claim 1, wherein the formulation further comprises a surfactant.

22. 10. The pressurized oral metered dose inhaler of claim 1, wherein the formulation further comprises an antioxidant.

23. 10. The pressurized oral metered dose inhaler of claim 1, wherein the formulation is sulfite-free.

24. 2. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler as claimed in claim 1, capable of delivering a dose of epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof such that, when the metered dose inhaler is in a transverse orientation, the percentage of the delivered dose that reaches the larynx, pharynx and lungs, as determined using a Sectioned Alberta Idealized Throat at a flow rate of 30 L / min, is at least 90% of the percentage of the delivered dose that reaches the larynx, pharynx and lungs when the metered dose inhaler is in a coaxial orientation.

25. 25. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler as claimed in claim 24, capable of delivering a dose of epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof such that when the metered dose inhaler is in a transverse orientation, the percentage of the delivered dose that reaches the larynx, pharynx and lungs, as determined using a Sectioned Alberta Idealized Throat at a flow rate of 30 L / min, is at least 95% of the percentage of the delivered dose that reaches the larynx, pharynx and lungs when the metered dose inhaler is in a coaxial orientation.

26. 3. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler as claimed in claim 2, capable of delivering a dose of epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof such that, when the metered dose inhaler is in a transverse orientation, the percentage of the delivered dose that reaches the larynx, pharynx and lungs, as determined using a Sectioned Alberta Idealized Throat at a flow rate of 30 L / min, is at least 90% of the percentage of the delivered dose that reaches the larynx, pharynx and lungs when the metered dose inhaler is in a coaxial orientation.

27. 27. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler as claimed in claim 26, capable of delivering a dose of epinephrine or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof such that when the metered dose inhaler is in a transverse orientation, the percentage of the delivered dose that reaches the larynx, pharynx and lungs, as determined using a Sectioned Alberta Idealized Throat at a flow rate of 30 L / min, is at least 95% of the percentage of the delivered dose that reaches the larynx, pharynx and lungs when the metered dose inhaler is in a coaxial orientation.

28. 10. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 1, which is a limited dose metered dose inhaler suitable for emergency use and provides up to 50 inhaled doses.

29. 3. A pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to claim 2, which is a limited dose metered dose inhaler suitable for emergency use and provides up to 50 inhaled doses.

30. 1. A formulation for use in a method for treating an acute allergic reaction, the formulation comprising: an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) selected from epinephrine and pharma- ceutically acceptable salts thereof; A liquefied propellant; A co-solvent; Including, 30. A formulation for use, the method comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of epinephrine, or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt thereof, by oral inhalation using a pressurized oral metered dose inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 29.

31. 31. The formulation for use according to claim 30, wherein the acute allergic reaction is anaphylaxis.

32. 32. The formulation for use of claim 31, wherein the method comprises administering two puffs of epinephrine periodically until the patient exhibits a physiological response to the treatment.

33. The physiological response is (a) Tachycardia, tremor, or both; or (b) the patient's subjective perception of a tremor in the body or hands, or the patient's subjective perception of an increased heart rate; 33. The formulation for use according to claim 32, wherein

34. 34. The formulation for use of claim 33, wherein the method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of epinephrine by administering two puffs, one every 1-10 minutes until the anaphylactic reaction is ameliorated.

35. 33. The formulation for use according to claim 32, wherein the method comprises administering two puffs, one every two minutes.

36. 32. The formulation for use according to claim 31, wherein the method comprises administering two puffs every 60 seconds until clinical resolution of allergy symptoms is achieved.

37. 32. The formulation for use of claim 31, wherein the method comprises administering two puffs at regular intervals until the patient experiences a subjective perception of a physiological response to the treatment.

38. 38. The formulation for use according to claim 37, wherein the method comprises administering two puffs every 30 to 90 seconds until the patient experiences a subjective perception of a physiological response to the treatment.

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