Benzinga | Aug 4, 2021 06:50AM EDT

MannKind Corporation And NRx Pharmaceuticals To Evaluate Feasibility Of Formulating A Dry Powder Formulation Of ZYESAMI

MannKind Corporation (NASDAQ:MNKD) has partnered with NRx Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:NRXP) (NRx) to evaluate the feasibility of formulating a dry powder formulation of ZYESAMI(tm) (aviptadil), a synthetic form of human Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) -- an endogenous substance produced by the body that helps protect cells against inflammatory conditions. An intravenous formulation of ZYESAMI is currently in clinical trials, having been granted Fast Track Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Critical COVID-19 with Respiratory Failure.

"We continue to explore ways that our Technosphere technology can deliver unique compounds in a targeted and convenient manner for patients with serious lung diseases," said Michael Castagna, PharmD, Chief Executive Officer of MannKind Corporation. "The novel coronavirus continues to be a factor around the world, and we are just beginning to bear witness to its long-term effects on the lungs."

Rapid recovery from Critical COVID-19 with Respiratory Failure has been reported in patients treated with open label VIP under a Phase 2b/3 clinical trial and in an FDA Expanded Access Program. Emerging data indicates that VIP binds uniquely to receptors on Alveolar Type II cells preventing cell death, stopping replication of the coronavirus in the Type II cells and upregulating the production of surfactant -- the loss of which is increasingly implicated in COVID-19 respiratory failure.

"As we continue to identify beneficial effects of VIP in treating various respiratory disorders, development of a convenient dosing method that offers stability at room temperature is key to long term success," said Prof Jonathan Javitt, MD, MPH, CEO and Chairman of the Board, of NRx. "We are pleased to be working with MannKind to develop an inhaled form of ZYESAMI which may offer patients an easier and more therapeutic option."

MannKind will begin exploring formulation potential at its research and manufacturing facility located in Danbury, Conn., which features a full range of development and manufacturing capabilities, including analytical, chemical, formulation, filling and packaging. It has sufficient filling capacity to produce more than 300 million cartridges of inhaled drug annually.