1inhaler

High-Level Overview

1nhaler is an Edinburgh-based medtech startup developing a single-dose dry powder inhaler made from cardboard, the size of a credit card when folded, designed for cost-effective, sustainable delivery of inhalable medicines like asthma relievers.[1][2][5][6] It serves patients needing acute or infrequent treatments for respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma, anaphylaxis), allergies, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, anti-infectives, and vaccines, solving issues with bulky, plastic, propellant-based devices that are expensive, environmentally harmful, and hard to use.[1][2][5][6] The company has raised $2.52M total (£2M in 2023 led by Archangels, plus a £1.5M seed in 2025 and £765K Scottish Enterprise grant), remains in angel stage, and plans early clinical trials in 2025 with marketing authorization by late 2027.[1][2][3]

Origin Story

Founded in 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland, by Lisa McMyn (current CEO) and Don Smith, 1nhaler emerged to address gaps in inhalable medicine delivery, particularly for single-dose needs where existing devices were costly and unsustainable.[1][2][6] McMyn, with expertise in the field, led the vision for a low-carbon, dry powder alternative using patented membrane technology.[1][2] Early traction included filing 3 patents on dosage forms, drug delivery, and medical treatments; board additions like Jane Gaddum (ex-AstraZeneca VP) as chair and experts in inhalation; and a £2M raise in 2023 plus grants to fund development.[1][2] Pivotal moments: 2025 £1.5M seed for manufacturing partnerships (Upperton, Harro Höfliger) and salbutamol proof-of-concept showing lung deposition comparable to market leaders.[1][3][6]

Core Differentiators

• Sustainable, compact design: Pop-up cardboard inhaler (credit-card sized when flat, unfolds to 3D tube) avoids plastic, propellants, and high costs; low-carbon footprint enables broad drug formulations.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
• Patented membrane technology: Breathable mechanism disperses dry powder efficiently for immediate relief, matching performance of leading salbutamol products in lung deposition.[1][5][6]
• Ease and accessibility: Discreet, portable, user-friendly for self-administration in acute scenarios; supports clinical trials and infrequent dosing without bulky devices.[2][5][6]
• Versatile applications: Beyond asthma relievers, adaptable for vaccines, anti-infectives, and neurology (e.g., epilepsy, Parkinson’s); partnerships accelerate scale-up.[3][5][6]
• Expert team: Leadership from ex-GSK, AstraZeneca, Vectura pros in inhalation and devices.[1][6]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

1nhaler rides the wave of sustainable medtech and inhaled therapeutics, amid rising demand for eco-friendly drug delivery as regulations target propellant emissions and plastic waste in healthcare.[2][6] Timing aligns with post-pandemic focus on inhalable vaccines/anti-infectives and respiratory crises (e.g., asthma affecting millions), where high device costs limit innovation—1nhaler's low-price model unlocks new drugs.[1][2][5] Market tailwinds include pharma's shift to dry powder inhalers (DPIs) for better performance and green credentials, plus grants signaling public support for UK life sciences.[1][3] It influences the ecosystem by enabling smaller biotechs/pharma to trial inhalables affordably, potentially disrupting single-use delivery dominated by bulky plastics.[2][3]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

1nhaler is poised for clinical trials in 2025 (salbutamol lead) and marketing push by 2027, leveraging manufacturing deals and performance data to secure pharma partnerships.[1][3][6] Trends like net-zero healthcare, inhaled biologics, and point-of-care delivery will propel it, especially if it proves scalability for vaccines or rare-dosing needs.[2][5][6] Influence could grow via global licensing, positioning it as the go-to for sustainable single-dose inhalation—transforming access from clunky relics to pocket-sized relief, as its credit-card form promises.[1][2]