TFF Pharmaceuticals' Tech Yields Superior Inhalation Dry Powders for Pulmonary Drug Delivery

Recently published data in the Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology reveal that TFF Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has developed an innovative drug distribution method for pulmonary delivery. This Texas-based company has employed its patented Thin Film Freezing (TFF) technology to create dry powder formulations that show superior lung distribution compared to traditional methods such as jet-milling and spray-drying.

The preclinical study focused on voriconazole dry powder formulations, designed for inhalation, which were produced using three distinct methods: jet-milling, spray-drying, and Thin Film Freezing. TFF's voriconazole dry powder, characterized by brittle and easily shearable nanoaggregates, demonstrated the most consistent distribution within lung tissues. Notably, it had the lowest airway-to-lung voriconazole deposition ratio of 1.27, outperforming the spray-dried (1.76) and jet-milled (2.73) powders. This improved distribution is ascribed to the smaller particle size post-disaggregation and the rapid particle movement on the liquid surface.

The findings suggest that TFF inhalational dry powders might enhance treatment efficiency and lower toxicity for lung diseases, reinforcing Thin Film Freezing as a promising method for dry powder formulation in pulmonary drug delivery. Dr. Robert O. Williams III, Co-inventor of TFF technology and a professor at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, expressed satisfaction with the results. "This is our first head-to-head comparison of TFF powder to powders made by other technologies, administered by inhalation to animals and characterized using mass spectrometry imaging to assess lung drug distribution. We are extremely pleased to confirm our hypothesis that Thin Film Freezing technology leads to the most homogeneous distribution of the drug in the lung," he stated.

Dr. Harlan Weisman, CEO of TFF Pharmaceuticals, highlighted the advantages revealed by the study. "These data, which examine formulations of voriconazole manufactured using different particle engineering technologies, suggest that the TFF dry powder technology for inhalation provides clear advantages over jet-milling and spray-drying methods," he said. He emphasized the scientific community's continued support for TFF's approach and the ongoing validation of their technology. The rapid and uniform distribution of TFF-generated dry powders in the lung, along with their lower airway-to-lung deposition ratio, sets their inhalational products apart from those created using other technologies, potentially increasing efficacy and minimizing toxicities.

TFF Pharmaceuticals' proprietary Thin Film Freezing technology transforms both existing compounds and new chemical entities into dry powder formulations with unique features and advantages. The TFF process creates dry powder particles suited for various routes of administration, including inhalation, parenteral, nasal, oral, topical, and ocular applications. This versatility allows for direct delivery to the target site, enhancing bioavailability, speeding up the onset of action, and improving safety and efficacy. By delivering therapies directly to specific organs, such as the lungs, TFF powders can be administered at lower doses compared to oral drugs, thereby reducing unwanted side effects and toxicities.

Laboratory data indicates that the aerodynamic properties of TFF-created powders can deliver up to 75% of the dose to the deep lung. The TFF process avoids introducing heat, shear stress, or other forces that could damage complex therapeutic components, like fragile biologics. Instead, it reformulates these materials into stable dry powders that are easier to store and distribute, making therapeutics and vaccines more accessible globally. TFF's technology can enhance traditional delivery methods or be combined to create next-generation pharmaceutical products.

TFF Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that uses patented rapid freezing technology to develop and transform medicines into potent dry powder formulations, optimizing their efficacy, safety, and stability. The company's versatile TFF technology platform can convert almost any drug, including vaccines, small and large molecules, and biologics, into efficient dry powders well-suited for inhalation or topical delivery to the eyes, nose, and skin.