Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

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.

The disease

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, PH or PHTN) is an increase of blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, syncope, tiredness, chest pain, swelling of the legs, and a fast heartbeat. The condition may make it difficult to exercise. Onset is typically gradual.

The cause of PAH is often unknown. Risk factors include a family history, prior blood clots in the lungs, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell disease, cocaine use, COPD, sleep apnea, living at high altitudes, and problems with the mitral valve. The underlying mechanism typically involves inflammation of the arteries in the lungs. Diagnosis involves first ruling out other potential causes.

There is no cure for PAH. Treatment depends on the type of disease. A number of supportive measures such as oxygen therapy, diuretics, and medications to inhibit clotting may be used. Medications specifically for the condition include epoprostenol, treprostinil, iloprost, bosentan, ambrisentan, macitentan, and sildenafil. A lung transplant may be an option in certain cases.

While the exact frequency of the condition is unknown, it is estimated that about 1,000 new cases occur a year in the United States. Females are more often affected than males. Onset is typically between 20 and 60 years of age. It was first identified by Ernst von Romberg in 1891.

Why Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Gilbert Technologies has the ambition to improve the administration of inhaled prostacyclin analogues with its proprietary device- and aerosol technology, by optimizing particle size of the inhaled formulation and improving patient medication adherence by optimizing inhaler design.

Read more about: Cystic Fibrosis – Asthma – Oncology – Other lung indications – Systemic indication