Pulmatrix, Inc. (“Pulmatrix” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PULM), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative inhaled therapies to address serious central nervous system and pulmonary diseases using its patented dry powder inhalation iSPERSE™ technology, today announced a series of transactions with MannKind Corporation.
Ted Raad, Chief Executive Officer of Pulmatrix, commented, “MannKind’s interest in iSPERSE™ validates the enablement potential of our innovative particle engineering dry powder technology. In addition, the assumption of our lease and laboratory by MannKind helps extend our cash runway further into 2026. We are able to build upon this agreement to further support development of PUR3100 and its potential application with MannKind’s Cricket® device to develop the 1st orally inhaled DHE treatment for acute migraine.”
The Company entered into a cross license with MannKind pursuant to which MannKind will grant Pulmatrix a perpetual, royalty free, exclusive license to use MannKind’s Cricket inhalation device for the inhaled delivery of PUR3100, our proprietary formulation of dihydroergotamine (DHE) with iSPERSE™, and a perpetual, royalty free, non-exclusive license to use MannKind’s Cricket inhalation device for the inhaled delivery of any dry powder formulation formulated for the treatment or prevention of neurological disease. As part of the cross-license, the Company will grant MannKind a perpetual, royalty free, exclusive license to formulate iSPERSE™ with clofazimine for inhalation by humans for the treatment or prevention of infection, for the treatment or prevention of nontuberculous mycobacteria lung disease in humans, and with insulin for inhalation by humans for the treatment or prevention of diabetes. We will also grant MannKind a perpetual, royalty free, non-exclusive license to formulate iSPERSE™ for inhalation for the treatment or prevention of endocrine disease and for inhalation for the treatment or prevention of interstitial lung diseases (including IPF, PPF and other related lung diseases) in humans (“ILD”).
As part of the transaction, MannKind will assume the lease of our Bedford, Mass., R&D facility along with all leasehold improvements, laboratory equipment and other related personal property used in the laboratory. To maintain continuity of iSPERSE™ platform knowledge, MannKind plans to hire some members of the Pulmatrix R&D staff.
The agreements are anticipated to close in July 2024.