Anti-fungal Inhalation Powder Granted Orphan Drug Status

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The FDA has granted orphan drug status to an inhalation powder form of the anti-fungal drug Amphotericin B, to prevent infections in immunosuppressed patients. The new powder was developed by biopharmaceutical company Nektar Therapeutics.

Earlier this year, the inhalation powder was approved by the FDA for use in patients at risk for infections such as aspergillosis. These patients, who may have had chemotherapy, radiation, or transplants for hematologic malignancies, commonly develop fungal infections in their lungs that can spread throughout the body. Inhaling the Amphotericin B powder prior to developing an infection may reduce the incidence of infections as well as the high morbidity and mortality associated with them.

Complete text of Nektar press release