Catalent Pharma Solutions, a supplier of inhalation drug development, delivery and supply capabilities, has entered into a contract with Biota Pharmaceuticals, Inc., to develop and provide filling and packaging capabilities to supply clinical trial materials of laninamivir octanoate, a first-in-class, inhaled long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor being developed by Biota Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of influenza A and B viruses.
 
Catalent began working with Biota in 2012 on inhaled formulation feasibility studies and on device filling and analytical support from its Development and Analytical facilities, located in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina. Catalent also provides clinical packaging services from its specialty Clinical Supply Services facility in Philadelphia, PA for Biota’s dry powder inhaler, which is used to administer laninamivir octanoate.
 
Catalent has the broadest range of development services across all inhaled dose forms and a proven track record advancing inhalation products to market. Catalent has recently announced it is to make a major investment to expand the capabilities of its Inhalation Center of Excellence in RTP. The $20 million planned investment will help support customers such as Biota in meeting demand for advanced inhalation dose forms.
 
Scott Houlton, President of Catalent’s Development and Clinical Services business commented, “We continue to invest extensively at our Inhalation Center of Excellence in order to fulfill our customers’ increasing demands in this expanding drug delivery market. Our work with Biota on the development of laninamivir octanoate is an illustration of how we work with our clients to meet their inhaled product development needs.”