AATec Medical, a biotech company developing a multi-product platform based on recombinant alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), and Beurer, a global manufacturer of products for healthcare, will collaborate to develop novel innovative inhaler devices. The new devices will be used in combination with AATec’s products for the treatment of respiratory diseases including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory virus infections and asthma.

The agreement foresees the development of next-generation inhaler devices for use with biopharmaceuticals using cutting-edge protein nebulization technology. AATec and Beurer will join forces to provide innovative patient-centric products based on AATec’s expertise in biopharmaceutical development and Beurer’s inhalation technology. Under the agreement, AATec will conduct preclinical and clinical development, regulatory approval, and commercialization. Beurer will be responsible for inhaler device development and manufacturing. Through the colla-
boration, AATec obtains access to advanced inhalation technology and manufacturing capacity, and Beurer expands the range of pharmaceutical applications of their products.

AAT is a human serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN) essential for the protection of tissue from damage by proteases. In addition, research by AATec has revealed strong immuno-modulatory functions and broadspectrum antiviral therapeutic effects of recombinant AAT. Delivery of recombinant AAT by inhalation allows for targeted and effective delivery of AAT to the respiratory tract, for effective local drug levels in the airways and fast onset of action. This will support AATec’s mission to provide effective medications for respiratory diseases of high unmet medical need, serving patients with urgently required new treatment options for debilitating conditions of the airways.

Commenting on the collaboration, Marco Bühler, Managing Director of Beurer, said: “As a family-owned company committed to healthcare all over the world, we are impressed by AATec’s mission to unlock the therapeutic potential of AAT for the treatment of inflammatory respiratory diseases. We are pleased to contribute our advanced nebulizer technology and know-how to this important mission and are excited to expand our activities in the biopharmaceutical market.”

Overcoming the limitations of plasma AAT

Currently, AAT products are approved for AAT deficiency only and are exclusively produced from human plasma, making them a scarce and expensive resource. AATec has developed an industrial recombinant manufacturing process which overcomes the limitations of plasma AAT production, to fully unlock the therapeutic potential of AAT. Covered by a comprehensive IP portfolio, AATec’s approach of making AAT available through recombinant manufacturing opens versatile therapeutic opportunities for various inflammatory diseases.

Dr Rüdiger Jankowsky, co-founder of AATec and CEO, commented: “Our therapeutic applications of recombinant AAT combined with Beurer’s inhalation technology allow for delivery of AAT directly to the airways, for optimal local effect. Together, we will develop innovative, user-friendly inhaler devices for the safe, effective, and convenient drug application for broad and cost-effective use in respiratory diseases.”