Inhalable therapeutic agent
A therapeutic agent for treating airways of a subject comprising one or more types or sizes of particles, each particle comprising in turn a biodegradable enclosure containing a mucolytic or another drug therein. A dispersing apparatus may be used to deliver metered doses of mucolytic and may be configured for self-administration by the subject. Encapsulation of the mucolytic in a liposomal formulation may prevent premature oxidation and maintain drug efficacy upon delivery to a target location in upper or lower respiratory tract.
1 . A therapeutic agent for treating airways of a subject, said therapeutic agent comprising a combination of first inhalable particles, second inhalable particles, and third inhalable particles, each of said first inhalable particles comprising a first mucolytic contained within a first biodegradable encapsulation, each of said second inhalable particles comprising said first or a second mucolytic contained within a second biodegradable encapsulation and wherein the first biodegradable encapsulation is distinct from the second biodegradable encapsulation, whereby said first mucolytic and/or said second mucolytic are protected from oxidation prior to release from said respective first biodegradable encapsulation or said second biodegradable encapsulation and absorption at a target location of said airways of said subject, and each of said third inhalable particles comprising a lipid encapsulated anti-infective agent.
2 . The therapeutic agent as in claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first biodegradable encapsulation has a liposomal formulation.
3 . The therapeutic agent as in claim 1 , wherein said first particles are sized to be from about 5 microns to about 50 microns, said second particles are sized to be from about 0.01 microns to about 6 microns, whereby said first particles are configured for predominant absorption at a first target location of said airways and said second particle are configured for predominant absorption at a second target location of said airways.
4 . The therapeutic agent as in claim 3 , wherein said first target location of said airways is upper respiratory tract and said second target location of said airways is lower respiratory tract.
5 . The therapeutic agent as in claim 3 further comprising additional particles of mucolytics contained within biodegradable encapsulations, said additional particles are sized for predominant absorption at additional locations of said airways upon inhalation of said therapeutic agent by said subject.
6 . The therapeutic agent as in claim 1 , wherein the first mucolytic is released immediately upon inhalation of said therapeutic agent by said subject, and the second mucolytic is released with a predetermined delay, whereby providing an extended time release mucolytic therapy to said subject.
7 . The therapeutic agent as in claim 1 , wherein said first inhalable particles and said second inhalable particles are stored in a solution form or a dry powder form or a gel form.
8 . The therapeutic agent as in claim 7 , wherein the solution form and the gel form are derived from a dry powder form.
9 . The therapeutic agent as in claim 1 , wherein each dose of said therapeutic agent containing from about 5 mg to about 200 milligrams of said first mucolytic.
10 . The therapeutic agent as in claim 1 , wherein said first mucolytic is 2-Mercaptoethane Sulfonate.
11 . The therapeutic agent as in claim 1 , wherein said second mucolytic is 2-Mercaptoethane Sulfonate.
12 . The therapeutic agent as in claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent is provided in a dry-powder inhaler suitable for self-administration.
13 . The therapeutic agent as in claim 1 , wherein the anti-infective agent further comprises a quinolone.