SYDNEY, Australia — September 25, 2026
Aptar Pharma announced a new three-year research collaboration with Macquarie University supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Program to investigate approaches for the pulmonary delivery of biologic medicines. The project, titled “Unlocking the Potential of Dry Powder Carriers for Biologic Applications” (ARC LP250100089), will focus on formulation and delivery challenges associated with high-dose dry powder biologics. The collaboration combines Macquarie University’s academic research capabilities with Aptar Pharma’s expertise in inhalation science, pharmaceutical development and drug delivery technology, with the goal of generating new insights into the design and performance of inhaled biologic formulations.
Orbital Platform Enables High-Payload Dry Powder Research
Aptar Pharma’s Orbital™ dry powder inhaler (DPI) platform will serve as a central technology in the research program. The platform is designed to support delivery of high-payload dry powder formulations, an area of interest as pharmaceutical developers explore inhaled approaches for biologic medicines. Researchers will investigate how different formulation variables affect aerosol performance when used with the Orbital™ device. The work is intended to improve understanding of the relationship between formulation characteristics and inhalation device performance, including factors that can influence powder dispersion, aerosolization and delivery. The research could provide additional scientific data for the development of future high-dose dry powder systems for biologic therapeutics.
Study Evaluates Formulation and Aerosol Performance
The project will evaluate engineered, blended and combined dry powder formulations to determine how their characteristics influence aerosol behavior and device performance. Researchers will also develop computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to provide additional insight into aerosol movement and particle transport within inhalation systems. High-dose biologic delivery can present formulation challenges because complex molecules may require specialized excipient systems to maintain stability while achieving suitable aerosolization properties. By examining formulation variables alongside device performance, the research program is designed to generate data that can inform future dry powder formulation and inhalation-system development.
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Collaboration Supports Future Inhaled Biologic Development
The ARC-supported program brings academic and industry expertise together to address scientific challenges in inhaled biologic delivery. Aptar Pharma said the collaboration will contribute to the broader development of technologies and scientific understanding needed to translate biologic medicines into effective inhaled therapies. The project also reflects growing interest in pulmonary delivery as a potential route for biologic medicines while recognizing the technical requirements involved in maintaining formulation integrity, aerosol performance and therapeutic delivery. Through the three-year program, Aptar Pharma and Macquarie University aim to advance understanding of high-dose dry powder delivery and generate research insights that could support future inhaled biologic development.
Source :Aptar Pharma press release
