$1 million supports OVULAIR drug delivery development
RMIT University and Melbourne-based GonGlobal have partnered to develop an inhaled IVF drug delivery system that could reduce the need for repeated injections.
The collaboration will develop OVULAIR, which is designed to deliver in vitro fertilisation medicines by inhalation instead of repeated injections.
GonGlobal has secured an exclusive global licence to deliver IVF drugs using RMIT’s patented HYDRA inhalation technology.
According to RMIT, HYDRA has demonstrated the ability to safely and selectively deliver liquid medicines deep into the lungs through a nebulizer.
For millions of people affected by infertility, IVF can be physically and emotionally demanding.
Many patients need three to six treatment cycles to achieve a live birth, and each cycle involves multiple injections, mostly self-administered.
As a result, some patients face hundreds of injections across their treatment journey.
$1 million backs OVULAIR development
The project has received a $1 million investment, with RMIT and Innovation Victoria each contributing $500,000 to support the development and commercialisation of OVULAIR.
The collaboration combines RMIT’s drug delivery technology with GonGlobal’s work in fertility treatment innovation, therapeutic drug-device combination development and commercialisation.
RMIT University Distinguished Professor Leslie Yeo said, “IVF has created millions of lives, but the treatment itself can be incredibly demanding.”
He said the team was working on technology that could replace injections with inhaled medicines and make IVF easier for patients.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation Calum Drummond AO said the partnership brought together university, industry and government support.
He said the backing from Innovation Victoria could help move the technology from the lab into the clinic and strengthen Victoria’s medical innovation ecosystem.
GonGlobal brings experience in fertility treatment innovation as well as drug-device combination development and commercialisation.
The organisations did not disclose a timeline for clinical use of OVULAIR or say when patient trials might begin.
