Drug delivery smorgasboard

Alkermes Inc. has taken another step toward its goal of becoming a smorgasbord of drug delivery technologies, acquiring its first pulmonary delivery technology and its sixth delivery platform. The company last week said its acquisition of Advanced Inhalation Research Inc. for $114 million in stock was attractive because it offers the potential for delivering drugs both to the lungs and to the general circulation via the lungs.

CEO Richard Pops noted that the acquisition provides ALKS with a next-generation pulmonary delivery platform because the technology allows the delivery of large particles (greater than 5 microns in size) to the deep lung area. Other pulmonary delivery technology has focused on particles 1-5 microns in size...