Dry Powder Inhalers

FlowCaps®
A simple Dry Powder Inhaler for the delivery of pulmonary and nasal drugs

Now launched in the Indian market. FlowCaps has been developed for the delivery of very small (microgram) to large doses (5-10 mg) of API.

FlowCaps is a capsule-based, re-fillable, passive dry-powder inhaler, holding up to 14 capsules. FlowCaps is pen-shaped, and measures about 11 cm in length, 2 cm in diameter. It is a simple dry powder inhaler for the delivery of asthma drugs, proteins and peptides.

Capsule-based inhalers normally require dexterity to use, as capsules must be inserted and oriented by hand. This is not needed in FlowCaps. Here, random storage of capsules means the patient does not have to orient capsules for use: a patented ramp will automatically right a capsule for loading into the inhalation chamber. The patient can visually check that this is happening.
Ease of use is fundamental for patient compliance.

Hovione is in a position to supply CE-marked inhalers manufactured in a GMP-compliant environment as well as giving formulation know-how to companies intending to develop drugs for inhalation. With its API experience, Hovione can also manufacture the active ingredient.

For commercial information, please contact

For more information on the inhaler visit the FlowCaps website.


APIs for inhalation
Hovione has acquired significant expertise in particle size reduction technologies, essential for the manufacture of inhaled APIs. Whenever the requirement, specific particle size range or distribution, particle morphology, Hovione can deliver the product.


The curve in the left give us a pulmonary deposition
about 10% more than the curve in the right.


Reducing the particle size of the API is of enormous importance. Sometimes, a small difference can have a dramatic improvement in the lung deposition.

In the chart above, the particle size distribution curves for two batches of the same API are shown. These curves would appear to indicate that the particle sizes are very similar. In fact, the batch represented by the blue curve (on the left) gives a pulmonary deposition about 10 percentage points higher than the batch represented by the red curve (on the right).

Hovione can fine-tune micronization processes to improve the lung deposition.
For information on Formulation development click here.