Asthma

Gilbert Technologies is committed to improving patient care when using drugs that cause unpleasant conditions when using medication. Our first focus area is patients with respiratory disease.

The applications are developed in this order:

1. CF (Cystic Fibrosis)
2. Asthma
3. Oncology (Lung Cancer)
4. Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension 
5. Other lung indications
6. Systemic indications

We believe our inhalers can be positioned as a superior inhaler offering better outcomes, higher patient convenience and hence better patient adherence. Our inhalers can be positioned as a competitive differentiator to either branded proprietary, generic or brand-less generic pharmaceuticals, enabling inhalation of new and/or more complex molecules (for instance biologicals). Therefore, we at Gilbert Technologies aim to become the new competitive differentiator and entry barrier in a market where generics are replacing branded medication.

Why Asthma

Gilbert Technologies has the ambition to improve treatment of (severe) asthma by improving the administration of biologics by developing an inhaled formulation in combination with its proprietary device- and aerosol technology.

The disease

Asthma is a common long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. These episodes may occur a few times a day or a few times per week. Depending on the person, they may become worse at night or with exercise.

Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors include exposure to air pollution and allergens. Other potential triggers include medications such as aspirin and beta blockers. Diagnosis is usually based on the pattern of symptoms, response to therapy over time, and spirometry. Asthma is classified according to the frequency of symptoms, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate. It may also be classified as atopic or non-atopic, where atopy refers to a predisposition toward developing a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction.

There is no cure for asthma. Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers, such as allergens and irritants, and by the use of inhaled corticosteroids. Long-acting beta agonists (LABA) or anti-leukotriene agents may be used in addition to inhaled corticosteroids if asthma symptoms remain uncontrolled. Treatment of rapidly worsening symptoms is usually with an inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonist such as salbutamol and corticosteroids taken by mouth. In very severe cases, intravenous corticosteroids, magnesium sulfate, and hospitalization may be required.

In 2015, 358 million people globally had asthma, up from 183 million in 1990. It caused about 397,100 deaths in 2015, most of which occurred in the developing world. It often begins in childhood. The rates of asthma have increased significantly since the 1960s. Asthma was recognized as early as Ancient Egypt. The word “asthma” is from the Greek ἅσθμα, ásthma, which means “panting”.

Read more about: Cystic Fibrosis – Oncology – Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension – Other lung indications – Systemic indication