Pharmapack Awards 2024 Patient-Centric Design Award Winner – Dr Ferrer BioPharma

Dr Ferrer Biopharma team

The 2024 Pharmapack Awards celebrated the best in innovation and design for the pharmaceutical packaging and drug delivery industry on January 24, 2024.

Please could you give a background to Dr Ferrer Biopharma and your overall mission as a company? 

Our company was founded by clinicians’ experts in respiratory illness with the goal of bringing to the market high quality, evidence-based, consumer-focused and physician invented solutions that aim at maximising effectiveness while minimising side effects with a focus in patient’s experience. We see innovation development from the bedside to the bench, not the opposite.  

Our mission is to bring to the market evidence-based therapies and drug delivery systems that combine new ideas with proven concepts in the service of helping people breathe better.  

Your product GentleMist Technology builds on existing technologies to enhance patient comfort and compliance when using nasal sprays. How did you identify this technology as an area of improvement when considering patient centricity? 

We identified the need for improvement in nasal drug delivery through extensive research and close collaboration with healthcare professionals and patients. Traditional nasal spray nozzles cause discomfort and hinder patient compliance due to the pressure exerted during administration and particle size. Recognising these challenges, GentleMist Technology^TM (GMT) was designed with a plume geometry angle that delivers a gentle yet effective nasal spray pattern, eliminating discomfort and enhancing drug delivery precision.

What aspects of patient-centricity were considered when developing GentleMist Technology? 

Patient-centricity is at the forefront of our development process. We conducted Human Factor studies and actively sought feedback from patients and clinicians throughout the product's creation. Surveys, focus groups, and direct interactions with patients played a pivotal role in shaping GentleMist Technology into a truly patient-centric solution. Their input guided us in fine-tuning the device and angle of application for optimal comfort and performance. Additionally, our collaboration with the exceptional team of engineers from our manufacturer partners at Bona and esteemed fluid dynamics scientists from renowned institutions ensured that GentleMist Technology’s innovation was grounded in rigorous research and scientific validation. This patient-centred approach resulted in a product that significantly improves comfort and treatment effectiveness.   

How do events such as Pharmapack help companies like Dr Ferrer Biopharma contribute to a thriving pharmaceutical packaging industry? 

Events like Pharmapack provide a valuable platform for companies like Dr Ferrer Biopharma to showcase our innovations and connect with industry experts, potential partners, and customers. These events foster collaboration and knowledge sharing that increases our exposure. At Pharmapack we can raise awareness about patient-centric solutions like GentleMist Technology, exchange ideas, and stay at the forefront of industry trends.  

What does this award mean for a company like Dr Ferrer Biopharma? 

Winning the Pharmapack Health Product Awards for Patient-Centric Design is a remarkable achievement and a validation of our unwavering commitment to patient-focused innovation. This prestigious award underscores the significant impact of GentleMist Technology and highlights our dedication to enhancing the lives of patients with upper respiratory conditions. It further solidifies our position in the industry. 

What does the future hold for Dr Ferrer Biopharma and the GentleMist Technology?  

With this award as a milestone, the future for Dr Ferrer Biopharma and GentleMist Technology is exceptionally promising. We are poised to expand the availability of GentleMist Technology across global markets, including increasing penetration in the US, Europe and Latin America. Our ongoing commitment to research and development remains steadfast, as we continuously strive to enhance our existing products and explore novel applications for our technology. Sustainability and eco-friendly practices will continue to be a top priority as we work diligently to reduce our environmental footprint. We are working GentleMist Technology fully recyclable, preservative-free and other applications. The journey ahead is filled with excitement, and we are eager to continue making a lasting impact on healthcare through our patient-centric solutions. 

Discover all Pharmapack 2024 Award winners here.