# Droplette: A Platform Technology for At-Home, Effective, and Rapid Pulmonary Delivery to Reduce Ventilator Use & Hospitalization

> **NIH NIH R43** · NOVOPYXIS, INC. · 2020 · $248,206

## Abstract

Significance: COVID-19 causes significant lung damage in a subset of patients leading to a cascade of
inflammatory cytokine activation (cytokine storm) that develops into acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
There are several classes of FDA-approved therapeutics that have significant potential in mitigating the
pulmonary inflammation when effectively delivered into the lower airways. However, there is a significant
technology gap in the ability to safely and rapidly dose and administer these drugs to the lungs.
Nebulizers are not used for Covid19 patients due to sterility/transmission risks since their use enables viral
particles to linger in the air for hours; they are also not easy to use or sterilize. Inhalers produce mists that do
not reach the lower airways. We have developed a patented platform trans-tissue delivery system (Droplette)
comprising the unique combination of a piezoelectric transducer and diaphragm pump to physically deliver large
therapeutics into cells and deep through tissue. We hypothesize that this device will allow deep and more rapid
delivery into the lower airways into the lungs of COVID-19 patients relative to standard nebulizers without
requiring active inhalation based on the measured droplet sizes (<3 µm) in the mist generated by the device (i.e
this can function as a rapid, low cost, more effective nebulizer for at-home use). Early intervention and at-
home administration will reduce the hospitalization burden and need for ventilation- leading to decreased
hospitalization rates, fewer patients who need to be placed on a ventilator and lower mortality. Additionally, the
device accepts pre-filled sterile one-time use cartridges containing therapeutic formulations and is Bluetooth-
enabled with a paired app, allowing a provider to monitor patients’ usage via telemedicine. Preliminary
Data: Droplette has been tested extensively across ex vivo, in vivo, and pilot human studies. We have previously
demonstrated that Droplette can deliver naked large (>1 MDa) mRNA to the basal layer of mucosal tissue and
hypothesize that the same mechanism can enable pulmonary delivery. The device generates a fine, low-
pressure mist in a unique transitional flow regime and produces consistent spray pattern, plume geometry,
droplet size distribution, and particle size. Droplette generates 100% fine mist (<4.7 µm) that dispenses
~1mL/min with a flow velocity of 1-5 m/s. Specific Aims: We will demonstrate that Droplette can deliver
therapeutics into the lungs & lower airways. In Specific Aim 1 we will Assess efficacy and delivery of Droplette
paired with Hypertonic Saline (7%) (HS-7%) in treating ARDS/Cytokine storm using cascade impaction studies
and cell/animal studies using models that will mimic a COVID-19 like cytokine storm. In Specific Aim 2, we will
do the same set of studies using two classes of therapeutics currently in trials for COVID-19: epinephrine & anti-
IL-6 antibodies. Collectively, the results from these studies wil...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10145920
- **Project number:** 3R43EB026363-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** NOVOPYXIS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** B. Lin Quek
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $248,206
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-05-28 → 2022-05-27

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10145920

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10145920, Droplette: A Platform Technology for At-Home, Effective, and Rapid Pulmonary Delivery to Reduce Ventilator Use & Hospitalization (3R43EB026363-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10145920. Licensed CC0.

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