An innovative inhaler for patients with asthma developed by Chippenham-based specialist drug firm Vectura has secured its first approval in Latin America.
The green light from Mexico’s Health Authority follows similar go-aheads in four European countries and South Korea for the AirFluSal Forspiro device, pictured, which can also be used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Vectura, which focuses on developing drugs to treat airways-related diseases, said AirFluSal Forspiro’s safety, efficacy and equivalence had been proven in multiple clinical trials.
The growing global market for treatment of conditions such as asthma and COPD is estimated to be worth more than $46bn (£27.7bn)
The firm initially developed AirFluSal Forspiro and created the design of the innovative inhaler before licensing it to pharmaceutical giant Sandoz in 2006. The product will be branded as IrFloso Forspiro in Mexico.