The acquisition is expected to accelerate the development, industrialization and commercialization of PULMOTREE’s Kolibri™ Non-Propellant Liquid Inhaler (NPLI) platform.
The acquisition is intended to expand Aptar Pharma’s opportunities for growth in respiratory drug delivery by adding a differentiated non-propellant platform capable of supporting the delivery of complex molecules, including biologics.
"The acquisition of PULMOTREE is an important step in expanding Aptar Pharma’s leadership in respiratory drug delivery and broadening the opportunities we can address with our pharmaceutical partners,” said Gael Touya, President and CEO of Aptar. “Kolibri™ brings a differentiated technology to our portfolio with the potential to support increasingly complex inhaled therapies, including biologics.
By combining this platform with Aptar Pharma’s formulation, device development, regulatory, manufacturing and patient-support capabilities, we can help customers move innovative therapies from development toward commercialization while creating new avenues for long-term growth.”
Jonathan Mulpas, Director of Business Development, Pulmonary Category, Aptar Pharma, stated, “Our collaboration with PULMOTREE over the past two years has enabled pharmaceutical partners to evaluate and gain hands-on experience with the Kolibri™ platform. The interest we have seen reinforces our belief that there is a need for this differentiated patient-centric technology designed to support the next generation of inhaled therapies.”
Ulf Krüger, CEO of PULMOTREE, stated, “The partnership between PULMOTREE and Aptar Pharma has been built on close, trust-based collaboration, and joining Aptar is the natural next step on that shared path. For our customers and partners, this acquisition is intended to provide continuity in the technology - now backed by the reach and resources of a global organization.”
Beyond expanding Aptar Pharma’s respiratory device portfolio, the acquisition is expected to create opportunities to deepen customer relationships and capture greater value across the drug development lifecycle. By leveraging offerings within Aptar Pharma companies such as Nanopharm’s formulation development and analytical expertise, Noble’s Human Factors support and patient onboarding, and Aptar Digital Health’s services, Aptar Pharma can customize drug formulation development, optimize device design, and support efforts to improve patient outcomes to provide their customers with a value-added finished product.
Non-Propellant Liquid Inhalers encompass nebulizers and soft-mist inhalers and are being developed as an alternative to propellant-based systems. PULMOTREE’s Kolibri™ utilizes a robust breath-triggered Vibrating Mesh aerosolization engine with unique breath-guidance capabilities designed to enhance targeted lung deposition. The award-winning Kolibri™ technology incorporates advanced connectivity features that can support treatment monitoring, patient engagement and the generation of real-world therapy insights.
Building on the exclusive collaboration agreement established with PULMOTREE in 2024, Aptar Pharma intends to leverage its comprehensive capabilities and services, including regulatory, manufacturing and commercial expertise, with a goal of providing pharmaceutical partners with a clear pathway from development through clinical evaluation and market launch for Kolibri™.
About Aptar Pharma
Aptar Pharma is part of AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR), a global leader in drug delivery, dosing and protection technologies, and consumer product dispensing. Aptar partners with the world’s top healthcare and consumer brands to deliver medicines and create exceptional user experiences. Serving diverse markets, from pharmaceutical to beauty to food and beverage, Aptar combines market expertise with proprietary design, engineering and science to develop innovative solutions that help improve lives worldwide. Headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois, Aptar employs 14,000 dedicated people across 20 countries.
For more information please visit, http://www.aptar.com.
