Pulmonary Drug Delivery, Hard Capsules and Dry Powder Inhalers: Solving Development Challenges

Brian E. Jones, Scientific Advisor, Qualicaps Europe S.A., Alcobendas (Madrid), Spain

Brian Jones has published more than 50 papers on various aspects of capsule usage, has contributed to three books and was a co-editor of the 2nd edition of ‘Pharmaceutical Capsules’ published by the Pharmaceutical Press, London, UK, in 2004. He worked for Eli Lilly & Co. Ltd. In Basingstoke UK for nearly 30 years. During this period he was involved with all aspects of hard capsules, from empty shell manufacture, through capsule filling to the formulation of capsule products both for the Qualicaps Division and for all of its customers. In 1968 he was involved with the development of the first ever gelatin capsule for inhalation made especially for use in the Spinhaler®, the first capsule-based DPI developed by Fisons UK. Since 1998 he has worked on a part-time basis for Qualicaps Europe, S.A.U. based in Penarth, UK and works through their office in Alcobendas (Madrid) Spain.

Brian Jones is a graduate of the Welsh School of Cardiff, University of Wales (B. Pharm., 1961 and M. Pharm., 1973), and was made a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in 1989 for distinction in the practice and profession of pharmacy. He is a member of AAPS and APS GB. Since 1996 he has been an honorary lecturer and since 2006 an honorary senior lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, UK.

Mauro Citterio, Director of R&D and Industrialization, Plastiape S.p.A.

Mauro Citterio is the Director of R&D and Industrialization, and he is Member of the Board of Directors at Plastiape S.p.A., where he has covered various roles from 1998 to 2014. He is currently responsible for device and equipment development, industrialization of the products, technical and economical feasibility studies, costing of new packaging and devices. He is also supervising the regulatory activities of the company connected with product and equipment development.

Furthermore, he is inventor/co-inventor of 6 international patents for medical devices and he has been invited lecturer at various national and international conferences.

Mauro Citterio holds a university degree in Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering from the Politecnico di Milano, Italy.

Plastiape is a small group, with headquarter in Italy and manufacturing facilities in Italy and Poland. The group employs 300 persons. The company turnover is approx 50 million Euros. Plastiape is focused on the development, engineering and manufacturing of medical devices, pharma packaging and personal care solutions. The company is one of the world leaders in design and manufacturing of Dry Powder Inhalers, with more than 35 years experience in this field.