A Scotland-based drug delivery device developer has secured an additional £1.5 million in seed funding to drive development of its eco-friendly technology.
Inhalable medicines are already used to treat conditions such as asthma, COPD, influenza, anaphylaxis, epilepsy, depression and Parkinson’s.
Unlike conventional inhalers typically made from bulky plastic, 1nhaler’s device is made predominantly from eco-friendly cardboard and the size and shape of a credit card, making it easier to carry around.
The funding round for 1nhaler was led by Archangels with support from Scottish Enterprise and BBB Investments. It follows an initial raise of £2 million in 2023 in a funding round also led by Archangels.
The investment will take the company further towards large-scale commercial manufacturing processes.
1nhaler has already established manufacturing partnerships with Upperton for clinical manufacture and Harro Höfliger for large-scale manufacturing process development.
Based in Edinburgh, the company was founded by Don Smith and Lisa McMyn. They have assembled a team of industry experts with decades of experience taking inhaled products to market.
They include chief scientific officer Helen Muirhead who was head of the Respiratory Centre of Excellence and had development responsibility for GSK’s blockbuster respiratory portfolio, including the Diskus and Ellipta inhalers.
Last year, Jane Gaddum, formerly Vice President for emerging brands within global marketing for AstraZeneca, was appointed chair and non-executive director.
Chief executive Ms McMyn said: “This additional funding represents strong continued confidence in our technology platform and our progress towards commercialisation. The support from Archangels, Scottish Enterprise and BBB Investments is enabling us to advance our clinical and manufacturing capabilities as we work towards regulatory approval.
“Our platform has the potential to become the simplest, most convenient single-dose, disposable inhaler on the market, transforming the delivery of inhalable drugs without the cost and environmental impact of existing devices.”
Dr Sarah Hardy, director and head of new investments at Archangels, said: “1nhaler’s more sustainable approach to drug delivery addresses a critical need in healthcare, and we’re excited to support the next stage of their journey towards regulatory approval and commercialisation.”
Derek Shaw, director of entrepreneurship and investment at Scottish Enterprise said: “1nhaler is a great example of the kind of world-class innovation we want to see scale from Scotland.
“Their technology combines cutting-edge design with sustainability, addressing global healthcare needs while reducing environmental impact.
“This investment will help accelerate 1nhaler’s journey towards international markets and commercial manufacturing, reinforcing Scotland’s position as a leader in life sciences and health innovation.”
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