Stephen Terence Dunne

The Respimat® Development Story: Patient-Centered Innovation

AbstractThe Respimat® Soft Mist™ Inhaler represents a unique delivery system for respiratory medications, using an innovative concept with major technological advancements made during prototype development. The Respimat® concept was driven by the intent to solve problems associated with existing inhaler devices for patient use. The following core aims were achieved: (1) avoiding propellants while reducing requirements for patient coordination and inspiratory effort; (2) optimizing drug delivery to the lungs, and; (3) improving the patients’ experience of taking their inhaled medication. The Respimat® inhaler is the first-marketed, pocket-sized inhaler to successfully generate a metered dose of therapeutic aerosol mist from an aqueous solution. Patient feedback has strongly influenced the evolution of the Respimat® inhaler design and instructions for use. The availability of Respimat® augments options for clinicians and patients seeking to choose an inhaler that can effectively and consistently deliver respiratory medication to targeted areas of the lung. In many countries worldwide, Respimat® is available for the administration of tiotropium, olodaterol (and tiotropium/olodaterol in fixed-dose combination), ipratropium/fenoterol, and ipratropium/albuterol. Funding: Boehringer Ingelheim.