Activaero

About Activaero

Activaero GmbH, founded in 1998 by the German physicist and aerosol scientist Dr. Gerhard Scheuch, established itself as a therapeutic area specialist in developing treatments for severe respiratory diseases. Dr. Scheuch, leveraging his deep expertise in biophysics and aerosol medicine, served as the company's CEO, guiding its focus on creating advanced drug-device combination products. His scientific career, which included research at the Helmholtz Zentrum München and as a visiting professor in the US, provided the foundation for the company's direction.

The company's core business involved creating therapeutic strategies for conditions such as severe asthma, Cystic Fibrosis (CF), and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Activaero's business model was multifaceted, generating revenue through device sales, licensing fees, milestone payments from partners, and fee-for-service contracts. It served pharmaceutical and biotech companies by offering its proprietary technologies on an out-licensing basis, complementing its own clinical development programs.

Activaero's main offering was its proprietary FAVORITE (Flow And VOlume Regulated Inhalation TEchnology) system. This smart nebulizer technology controlled the patient's breathing pattern to ensure that inhaled medications were targeted to specific, pre-defined regions of the lung. This precise deposition allowed for greater efficiency, enabling the use of lower drug doses and significantly reducing treatment times compared to conventional nebulizers. The technology was embodied in a family of devices including the AKITA® JET, APIXNEB, and FOX, which covered both desktop and portable needs. The lead product candidate utilizing this system was FAVOLIR®, a treatment for severe asthma.

A significant milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by the UK-based Vectura Group plc in March 2014 for a total consideration of €130 million. At the time of the acquisition, Activaero had approximately 50 employees and a robust pipeline that included seven clinical programs. The deal was seen as a strategic move by Vectura to gain access to Activaero's smart nebulizer technology and its late-stage product candidates, thereby creating a more diversified specialty pharma business focused on airway diseases.