In collaboration with HOVIONE, IDC has designed a multi-patented intranasal drug delivery device that delivers dry powder formulations to the brain with precision and rapid onset of systemic therapy.

IDC UK has combined its design engineering expertise with Hovione expertise in pharmaceutical particle engineering to create a breakthrough intranasal drug delivery device.
Drugs delivered through the nasal mucosa can enter the blood circulation quickly and efficiently. Most nasal formulations in the current market are liquid formulations, while powder formulations are more stable and therefore have more adaptation scenarios. The project aims to develop a nasal delivery device that delivers dry powder precisely and is simple and intuitive for all ages. In addition to availability, the solution needs to be compatible with existing pharmaceutical production processes and cost-effective for large-scale production.

The dry powder spray structure innovatively developed by the IDC team in the UK has won two new patents for the device.
In close cooperation with Hovione pharmaceutical engineers, we analyzed the measurement results of powder smoke morphology, spray rate, diffusion range and height of powder spray under different structures through a series of tests to optimize the absorption effect of drugs in the nasal mucosa.
The team built and evaluated prototypes using dedicated test benches to improve performance and usability.
At the same time, industrial designers participate in the project, focusing on ergonomics and ease of use, to ensure the comfort and convenient operation of the product.

The first phase of development is focused on the realization of a single-use device that will be pre-filled with a drug capsule.
Capsules can be made from standard pharmaceutical capsules without the need to tailor them, and pharmaceutical companies do not have to replace their filling systems, using existing filling equipment, which will avoid the additional time and cost of packaging and system changeover.
In addition, the device can accurately release the required dose of drug through a simple two-step "rotation" to unlock and then "squeeze.
By steering, the device can target specific areas of the nasal cavity, including the olfactory region, for rapid absorption and direct delivery to the brain.
The product provides a flexible, user-friendly and cost-effective drug delivery platform that improves the patient experience and provides significant advantages for pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Following the completion of the development of the single-use device, IDC UK and Hovione further developed a multi-dose version of the device to expand its use in a wider range of therapies.

Our involvement in the design and development of the intranasal device project included:
• Product research and technical review
• Patents and Intellectual Property
• Mechanical Engineering Development
• Industrial Design
• Prototyping
• Performance testing
• Injection Molding Design for Manufacturing
• Material specification definition