Aerosurf: Novel Therapy Against Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

Filed in archive Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics on September 12, 2005

The first pilot Phase 2 feasibility study of Aerosurf, developed by Dicovery Labs, showed promising results. Aerosurf is a aerosolized lung surfactant delivered using continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). It has the potential as a non-invasive method of surfactant replacement therapy to treat premature infants suffering from respiratory disorders including Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), BPD, bronchiolitis, acute hypoxia, pneumonia, and transient tachypnea. RDS is a condition that is prevalent in premature infants, which is caused by a lack of lung surfactants than keeps air sacs from collapsing and therfore facilitate breathing.

Robert Segal MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer further explains:

"Neonatologists have limited pharmacologic options to treat serious respiratory Diseases outside of RDS; many of these infants suffer significant morbidity and require costly treatments with prolonged hospital stays. No currently available surfactants have addressed these unmet needs. Aerosurf represents a novel therapeutic approach for the potential treatment of infants with various respiratory diseases.

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