Surfactant Dry Powder Formulations for Premature Babies

Pulmonary surfactant replacement therapies are typically composed of a mixture of phospholipids and surfactant proteins, which are the primary components of natural pulmonary surfactant. Several pulmonary surfactant replacement therapies are available, including surfactants derived from animal sources (such as bovine or porcine lung extracts) and fully synthetic surfactants composed of synthetic phospholipids and surfactant proteins. These phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine, help to reduce surface tension at the air-liquid interface within the alveoli.

Pulmonary surfactant replacement therapies are used primarily in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. Currently they are typically administered directly into the lungs of premature infants as instilled liquid bolus via endotracheal tube (ETT) followed by mechanical ventilation. Despite its lifesaving efficacy, there are still challenges related to non-uniform distribution of the surfactant in the lung airways and respiratory side effects arising from intratracheal instillation of a high liquid volume.

Dr. Hindle's research in the field of pulmonary surfactants focuses on developing new synthetic surfactant dry powder aerosol formulations with improved efficacy, stability, and safety profiles. The powder formulations are delivered non-invasively using a novel low air actuation volume inhaler. Aerosol delivery to critically ill infants presents unique drug delivery challenges including generating a micrometer sized powder aerosol at low flow rates and volumes for delivery to the delicate airways of patients with limited ability to cooperate during inhalation.