OREANDA-NEWS. October 07, 2015. 3M Drug Delivery Systems (3M) and Impel NeuroPharma Inc (Impel) today announced a strategic alliance aimed at advancing Impel’s revolutionary Precision Olfactory Delivery (POD) technology for the enhanced Central Nervous System (CNS) delivery of drug products. The alliance further solidifies 3M’s presence as a clear leader in the drug delivery sector and shows its continued commitment to cutting-edge technology.

The alliance with 3M will enable Impel to expedite the development and commercialization of the POD technology and accelerate Impel’s internal pipeline into late-stage clinical trials and subsequent global regulatory submissions. As part of the deal, 3M and Impel will collaborate on programs directed to the continued development and commercialization of POD technology. The alliance will leverage 3M’s experience with inhaled and nasal drug delivery devices. Other details of the transaction were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to have 3M join our team,” said Impel CEO Michael Hite. “We’ve successfully shown that the POD technology is highly effective in the clinic in our ongoing development programs and across diverse therapeutic areas including Alzheimer's disease, migraine, and pain management. We are proud to have 3M’s key strategic collaboration to support the development and commercialization of the POD platform. With 3M, Impel is better able to empower researchers, physicians, patients, and their families.”

Impel’s POD technology deposits drugs deep into the upper nasal cavity where it can achieve delivery into the brain and central nervous system. POD is a handheld, cost-effective, non-invasive means for delivering CNS therapeutics that can be self-administered by a patient, caregiver, physician, or even family member.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that neurological diseases affect over 450 million people globally, making up approximately 40 percent of total disease burden (based on disability adjusted life years), compared to 13 percent for cancer and 12 percent for cardiovascular disease. The CNS market is valued at over \\$80 billion in 2015 (BCC Research) and the drug delivery market is expected to reach a value of \\$25.5 billion by 2017 (Jain, PharmaBiotech).

“Impel’s POD technology provides an important solution to an unmet need in the drug delivery marketplace,” said Cindy Kent, President and General Manager – 3M Drug Delivery Systems. “We look forward to supporting Impel as they commercialize the POD technology and expand upon 3M’s leadership in developing novel approaches to major problems confronting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.”

About Impel NeuroPharma
Impel NeuroPharma Inc is a biopharmaceutical company specializing developing enhanced CNS products based on its proprietary Precision Olfactory Delivery (POD) technology.

Impel is committed to improving the delivery of CNS therapeutics and is rapidly growing its pipeline of internal products through its INP-101, INP-102 and INP-104 programs. The Company's INP-104 product candidate, is in late-stage development to improve the treatment of drug-resistant migraine in patients who have failed front-line triptan therapy. INP-101, is in clinical development to improve the management of pain in patients who have difficulty tolerating traditional systemically administered opioids yet require reliable and rapid analgesia. Its novel Alzheimer's disease product candidate, INP-102, is currently in multiple later-stage clinical trials, including Phase 2 and Phase 3a studies.

Impel is based in Seattle, WA. For more information visit www.impelneuropharma.com.

About 3M
At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With \\$32 billion in sales, our 90,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNewsroom.