Inventing relief

By Cheranka Mendis

Having bagged two Presidential Awards in 2002 and 2008, first for an effective mixing method for asthmatic drugs using a unique formulation and then for the unique ‘ventohaler,’ which has now proved to be a business success, Dr. Anil Goonetilleke is now a man content.

Shortlisted for the prestigious Ray Awards given in memory of late Ray Wijewardene alongside five other inventors, Dr. Goonetilleke’s creation was a timely act, providing a solution for a long felt need in the local healthcare market. With the costs of inhalers increasing, the accessibility of the medicine for patients across the country was steadily diminishing when Goonetilleke put together a winning combination.

“I am an asthmatic myself,” he said. “I saw the need for this because in this country many asthmatics are not getting the treatment they require due to the high prices attached to inhalers. I therefore wanted to find an approach to provide these at a cheaper price for the locals so that it would be available to everyone.”

His first invention was the capsule which is now available in the local market, known as Salbuvent 200 and 400, Flutivent 250 and 500 and Beclovent 200 and 400. A new product by the name of Formovent is expected to be launched soon.

“The capsule is unique in its formulation because we have mixed inert particles to the active particles (or active drug) to give the patients a better dose through the ventohaler.” To produce particles for inhalation, the active drug powders used is micronised to less than five microns, as larger particles would stop at the throat.

To remedy the poor flow, drug particles are mixed with larger ‘carriers’ so that it will not separate during inhalation. “We have created the process to neutralise the charges on these large particles by first adding a different inert particle so that the active particles are free.”

After receiving patents on the mix, he then started working on what is now known as the ‘ventohaler.’

The advantage of the latter is that one can buy the capsules in ten doses at a time, making it easier on the budget.

“If you have the gas inhaler, you have to buy the whole 200 doses at once which is a bigger outlay even though per dose it is the same. Here, you can buy it in ten doses which is more affordable to the people.”

The inhaler itself is unique, he explained. “In the ventohaler, the air comes in from two sides creating a vortex which pulls out the drug powder very effectively towards the lung.”

Legally, at least 10% of the dose must go in with every puff for an inhaler to be made acceptable and with the ventohaler, the lung deposition is currently at 17%. “This is a major feat for us. We provide the best for our locals for a lower price.”

His inventions also helped break the monopoly in the market of the drugs used for the said purpose. Even though the price difference between capsules made by him and the others is only a Rs. 0.25-0.50 difference, the real price difference came at the Government tender level.

“Tenders from overseas companies were being quoted at Rs. 10 per capsule and after our intervention this has come down to Rs. 3,” Goonetilleke said. He added that such capsules are imported in enormous numbers, close to 50-60 million per quarter. “There is a reduction to the price after we came in.”

Owing to the quality and its price point, the capsule mixture and the ventohaler is now being exported to India. From India, the product reaches many corners of the world including countries such as Egypt. Goonetilleke assured that Lina Manufactures, under which he sells the products, is now actively looking to broaden the export business with focus on Malaysia and Vietnam.

The company aims at becoming a highly advanced producer of respiratory care products. “We want to become a research oriented pharmaceutical company.” Having started on a shoestring budget, Akbar Brothers interest to partner with Goonetilleke to take the products to the mass market, was one of the best things to happen, he said.

“It was a big boost for me. They partnered with me in December 2010 and last year we started the export business. Things could not have come this far without them.” Under Lina, a new entity called the Drug Development Unit has been formed in association with Jayawardenapura University to further research in the area. The Unit is partly funded by the National Research Fund.

“Being an asthmatic, I know what the suffering was like. Growing up at a time when there were no inhalers and we had to wait for the attack to pass, I know how important an inhaler is. Inhalers basically changed everything. I wanted to help others in my condition as well.”

Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe