Development of Remdesivir as a Dry Powder for Inhalation by Thin Film Freezing

Remdesivir, an investigational broad-spectrum antiviral agent, has shown in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2. To maximize direct delivery to the target site, the lungs, we aim to develop remdesivir as a dry powder for inhalation using thin film freezing (TFF). TFF produces a brittle matrix of nanostructured aggregates that can be sheared into respirable low-density microparticles upon aerosolization from a passive dry powder inhaler. In vitro aerodynamic testing demonstrated that drug loading and excipient type affected the aerosol performance of remdesivir. Remdesivir combined with optimal excipients (e.g. Captisol®, mannitol, lactose, leucine) exhibited suitable aerosol performance (up to 92.4% FPF and 0.86 µm MMAD). Remdesivir was amorphous after the TFF process, which we hypothesize will provide a benefit for drug dissolution once administered to the lungs. Neither the organic/water processing cosolvent or the rapid freezing rate used during the TFF process affected the chemical stability of remdesivir during processing. In conclusion, TFF is a suitable technology for producing remdesivir dry powder formulations suitable for pulmonary administration.

See the full article in bioRxiv

See also the press release of the university of Texas here

Sawittree Sahakijpijarn,  Chaeho Moon,  John J. Koleng,  Robert O. Williams III
bioRxiv
https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.26.222109