Triple Drug Aerosol Inhaler for COPD Exacerbation Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with combinations of bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents often require multiple inhalers and have limitations in stability and efficacy, particularly in reducing exacerbation frequency in patients with a history of frequent exacerbations.

Innovation Solution

A pharmaceutical aerosol formulation combining glycopyrronium bromide, formoterol or its salt, and beclometasone dipropionate, dissolved in hydrofluoroalkane propellant with a co-solvent and an inorganic acid as a stabilizing agent, providing a single inhaler solution for enhanced therapeutic benefits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple inhalers are used to combine bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents, then therapeutic coverage is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic coverageVSAvoidnumber of inhalers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines three different medications (glycopyrronium bromide, formoterol, and beclometasone dipropionate) into a single aerosol inhaler formulation, allowing patients to receive multiple therapeutic agents through one device rather than multiple separate inhalers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple inhalers are used to combine bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents, then therapeutic coverage is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic coverageVSAvoidease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple medications into a single inhaler formulation, the patent simplifies the daily routine for patients, eliminating the need to manage and coordinate multiple separate inhalers and improving overall ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If existing combination therapies are used, then treatment availability is improved, but efficacy in reducing exacerbation frequency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment availabilityVSAvoidexacerbation reduction efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the specific combination parameters of three medications (glycopyrronium bromide, formoterol, and beclometasone dipropionate) in a fixed ratio within the aerosol formulation, creating a synergistic effect that enhances exacerbation reduction compared to existing combination therapies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite pharmaceutical formulation combining multiple active ingredients with different mechanisms of action (anticholinergic, beta-agonist, and corticosteroid) to achieve superior therapeutic efficacy in reducing COPD exacerbations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3500241B1Combination therapy for COPD

Publication Date: 2023.10.04 CHIESI FARMACEUTICI SPA

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AI summary

Aerosol formulations comprising glycopyrronium bromide, formoterol or a salt thereof, and beclometasone dipropionate are useful for the prevention or treatment of moderate/severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.