Edinburgh firm’s £2.2m boost to create cardboard inhaler for conditions such as asthma and epilepsy

A Scottish drug device pioneer has secured £2.2 million in follow-on funding to progress its pop-up cardboard inhaler towards first regulatory approval.

The latest funding boost for 1nhaler, which is based in Edinburgh, was led by Archangels with support from Scottish Enterprise and BBB Investments.

The investment will facilitate late-stage development of the firm’s lead product, 1nhaler Salbutamol, which combines the novel device with salbutamol, a well-established asthma medicine.

Edinburgh-based 1nhaler has secured fresh funding for its novel pop-up cardboard dry powder inhaler (DPI).

The funding will complete the technical transfer of the product into contract manufacturing for the production of clinical trial material and progress a small clinical trial to support regulatory filing which is targeted for late 2027.

Inhalable medicines are already used to treat conditions such as asthma, influenza, epilepsy, depression and Parkinson’s. Unlike conventional inhalers typically made from bulky plastic, 1nhaler’s single-dose DPI is made predominantly from cardboard and is the size and shape of a credit card.

Lisa McMyn, co-founder and chief executive at 1nhaler, said: “This investment takes us to one of the most important milestones in our journey - taking our own lead product into the clinic. The continued backing of Archangels, Scottish Enterprise and BBB Investments reflects the technical and commercial progress we have made over the past year.”

Sarah Hardy, director and head of new investments at Archangels, said: “Having backed 1nhaler since 2023, we see this latest round as a reflection of our confidence in the team and its novel inhaler device that has the potential to disrupt the global market for inhaled medicines.

“We are particularly excited by the commercial traction and interest from potential partners across a broader range of drugs than we initially anticipated, highlighting the platform’s versatility and market potential.

“Taking this product into a clinical study is a significant milestone towards demonstrating its performance in patients.”

Derek Shaw, director of company funding and investment at Scottish Enterprise, said: “This investment highlights our dedication to supporting the growth of ambitious businesses in Scotland.”

He added: “Scotland has distinct global strengths in industries such as human health and fostering the development of companies such as 1nhaler is key to sustaining their success and driving future growth.”