Philips and Aerogen collaborate to develop breakthrough non-invasive respiratory drug delivery solution

Over 100,000 patients in Ireland suffer from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder). Aerogen, a Galway based company has just completed work on an exclusive collaboration with one of the largest names in healthcare, Philips Healthcare, in the development of a customised nebuliser specifically targeted at this patient population. The newly developed NIVO nebuliser is designed for use with patients receiving non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The nebuliser incorporates Aerogen’s multi- patented aerosol generator which is based on vibrating mesh plate technology and enables the delivery of aerosolised medication to the lungs. This development will see Aerogen’s technology reach a new market segment in the form of the non-invasive ventilation, estimated to be worth €182 million by 2014.

Press Release

Andover, Mass., USA and Galway, Ireland – Royal Philips Electronics (AEX: PHI; NYSE: PHG) and Aerogen, a Galway, Ireland-based medical technology and drug delivery company, have collaborated to develop the NIVO Nebulising System, a new drug delivery system designed for use with patients receiving non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The Aerogen nebuliser, which is intended for use with the Philips Respironics Nebulising elbows and AF531 mask, incorporates Aerogen’s multi-patented aerosol generator, which is based on vibrating mesh plate technology and enables the delivery of aerosolised medication to the lungs.

NIV allows the patient to be ventilated through a mask, without the need for invasive endotracheal tubing. It is a growth market, in both the intensive care and home care setting. The rise in the market for NIV is connected, in part, to the increase in cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), which affects 64 million people globally. The market is reported to grow significantly with the World Health Organisation predicting that COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030.

Identifying the need for aerosolised drugs to be delivered through non-invasive means, Philips and Aerogen worked to design a customised nebulisation solution for use with the Philips Respironics AF531 masks. The NIVO product is the first customised nebuliser enabling targeted drug delivery through an NIV system.  Launched this month, the NIVO nebuliser is available through the Philips Healthcare sales network.

Aerogen’s CEO, John Power is very confident of the success of the Philips collaboration in terms of Aerogen’s growth stating, “Philips has a high standard for delivering solutions for patient care, and our shared commitment to innovation made for a good fit for this collaboration. Our technology adds significant value to mechanical ventilation in terms of high efficient aerosol therapy to patients who need it most, often in life and death situations.”

“Aerogen’s nebulisers are recognised as the gold standard for nebulisationin the intensive care setting, which was an important factor in selecting the best partner to help develop this product,” said Randall Whitfield, general manager, Hospital Respiratory Care, for Philips Healthcare. “With the rise in pulmonary disease, developing a means to deliver drug therapy via non-invasive ventilation is a significant step in helping to improve patient care.”

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ian Race

Philips Healthcare

Tel: +1 978 659 4624

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Eileen Sweeney

Aerogen

Tel:  +353 91 540418

Email:      This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity.” Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs over 120,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 22.3 billion in 2010, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

About Aerogen

• Aerogen is a specialty medical device and drug delivery company specialising in the design, manufacture and marketing of nebulisation systems aimed at the critical care respiratory market.  Aerogen’s patented OnQ™ aerosol technology is an integral part of its drug delivery systems.

• Founded in Galway in 1997, Aerogen has grown to become the global leader in acute care aerosol drug delivery equipment and today its Aeroneb products play a critical role in treating patients on life-support ventilation, as well as home care offerings, in over 65 counties worldwide.

• Aerogen currently employs a growing team of 40 primarily Science and Engineering graduates, many to PhD level.

• Aerogen is a dynamic and evolving company, focusing on innovative products that create new market opportunities.  It is this innovative approach that has seen Aerogen register over 40 international patents and continually develop new products, leading the way in the aerosolised drug delivery market.

• The company also partners with biotech and pharma companies to develop and deliver specialty aerosol drug solutions utilising its proprietary OnQ™ Aerosol Generator technology platform.