Scottish firm’s £1.5 million boost to create world’s ‘most convenient’ disposable inhaler

A Scottish drug device specialist has secured a £1.5 million cash injection to drive development of its pop-up cardboard inhaler.

The funding boost for 1nhaler, which is based in Edinburgh, was led by Archangels with support from Scottish Enterprise and BBB Investments. It follows an initial raise of £2m in 2023 in a funding round also led by Archangels.

The investment will enable the company to advance its innovative platform technology towards a first marketing authorisation application (MAA) targeted for late 2027. This includes the manufacture of clinical material for regulatory studies and the design of large-scale commercial manufacturing processes.

Edinburgh-based 1nhaler has secured seed funding to drive development of its novel pop-up cardboard dry powder inhaler (DPI).

Inhalable medicines are already used to treat conditions such as asthma, influenza, epilepsy and Parkinson’s. The firm’s single-dose dry powder inhaler (DPI) platform is said to address key limitations in current delivery options around user accessibility, cost, performance and environmental impact.

Unlike conventional inhalers typically made from bulky plastic, 1nhaler's design is made predominantly from eco-friendly cardboard and the size and shape of a credit card for improved portability. The novel platform technology incorporates a patent-protected membrane-based system that transforms into a three-dimensional inhaler for patient use. The system can be tailored to deliver different dry powder drugs effectively.

The firm is engaged in commercial talks with companies across different therapeutic opportunities, working to bring new and existing drugs to patients in a “more efficient, affordable and sustainable way”.

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The company was founded by Don Smith and Lisa McMyn. They have assembled a team of industry experts with decades of experience taking inhaled products to market, including chief scientific officer Helen Muirhead who had development responsibility for GSK's blockbuster respiratory portfolio. Last year, 1nhaler appointed Jane Gaddum, formerly vice president for emerging brands within global marketing for AstraZeneca, as board chairperson and non-executive director.

McMyn, who is chief executive at 1nhaler, said: “This additional funding represents strong continued confidence in our technology platform and our progress towards commercialisation. The support from Archangels, Scottish Enterprise and BBB Investments is enabling us to advance our clinical and manufacturing capabilities as we work towards regulatory approval.

“Our platform has the potential to become the simplest, most convenient single-dose, disposable inhaler on the market, transforming the delivery of inhalable drugs without the cost and environmental impact of existing devices.”

Sarah Hardy, director and head of new investments at Archangels, said: “The team has demonstrated strong technical validation and is building meaningful commercial partnerships across multiple therapeutic areas.

“1nhaler’s more sustainable approach to drug delivery addresses a critical need in healthcare, and we’re excited to support the next stage of their journey towards regulatory approval and commercialisation.”

Derek Shaw, director of entrepreneurship and investment at Scottish Enterprise, said: “1nhaler is a great example of the kind of world-class innovation we want to see scale from Scotland.

“Their technology combines cutting-edge design with sustainability, addressing global healthcare needs while reducing environmental impact. This investment will help accelerate 1nhaler’s journey towards international markets and commercial manufacturing, reinforcing Scotland’s position as a leader in life sciences and health innovation.”