What exactly is the Technosphere® Platform?

One of the largest organs in your body are the lungs. Picture the size of a full tennis court and that is roughly the surface area of both lungs in a typical adult. Running through those lungs are airways whose total length measures 1,500 miles – that’s the distance between Chicago and Las Vegas, New York to Albuquerque, and Los Angeles to Nashville.

Simply put, the lungs create a wonderful platform for effective drug delivery. MannKind’s Technosphere technology recognizes this and provides the distinct advantage of rapid, deep lung drug delivery. The effect is similar to intravenous delivery (I.V.; within a vein) and has the added benefit of bypassing the liver which can be especially helpful in reducing systemic side effects.

Examining it closer, it helps to look at inhalation, air flow travel, and the exhale. When you breathe in, air is drawn into the lung and flows down curving, narrowing airways that end in the air sacs or alveoli. When air is exhaled, the flow is reversed. Between the end of an inhalation and the start of exhalation, the air in the lung is stationary. To reach the deep lung, inhaled particles must be carried by the air stream and have enough momentum to continue through the stationary air to collide with the lung surface.

Particles that can reach the lung have aerodynamic diameters between 0.5 µm and 5-6 µm (1 µm is 1 micro-meter or about 0.00004 inches). Particles that are larger than 6 µm will leave the air stream and hit the back of your mouth and throat; smaller than 0.5 µm wouldn’t have the ability to reach the lungs and would simply get exhaled.

“The average Technosphere particle is about 2-2.5 µm which is in the middle of the respirable range,” explains Marshall Grant, PhD, MSc, Executive Director, Clinical Pharmacology & Research for MannKind Corporation. “The particle size distribution is a major reason Technosphere powders are highly efficient in delivering drug to the lungs than other dry powder inhalers (DPIs).”

The Technosphere particles in FDA-approved Afrezza® (insulin human) Inhalation Powder and Tyvaso DPI™ (treprostinil) Inhalation Powder are manufactured by different processes and possess different characteristics. But both are made up of small crystals of FDKP (fumaryl diketopiperazine), MannKind’s proprietary molecule. FDKP provides high solubility and fast dissolution at physiologic pH – and more importantly – can crystallize and form particles in the range appropriate for optimum delivery to the lungs.

When Technosphere powder reaches the lung surface, the FDKP and drug dissolve. The FDKP is then rapidly cleared from the lung into systemic circulation. The FDKP is not metabolized, but rather excreted primarily in the urine. Another value of Technosphere powders has been their versatility – they are compatible with a wide range of doses with different types of drugs.

MannKind’s Technosphere powders are delivered into the lung’s airstream via an inhalation device or DPI (dry powder inhaler). The breath-powered inhalers (Dreamboat® being the most common version) provide excellent delivery efficiency and are proven to deliver up to 70% of the dry-powder dose deep into the lungs. Our DPI are designed to be simple, easy to use and discreet. For patients, imagine having a drug in the convenient form of an inhaler that fits in the palm of your hand. This approach allows patients to not only take control of their health but do it while going about their day and enjoying life more humann.

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NTM Lung Disease on the Rise

“I cough every morning upon waking, so I don’t feel rested.” “Imagine not being able to breathe.” “Anxiety ruins everything about you – it’s not a normal life.” “You just exist from day to day and week to week.” These are a sampling of comments about the most bothersome symptoms from living with Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) shared in a study from NTM Info & Research, Inc. The statements are unfortunately typical and those with NTM often have unpredictable day-to-day health functioning and reduced quality of life.

NTM lung disease is a serious infection that is caused by bacteria that are common in the environment and can cause lung damage. The reality is that we are all exposed to these bacteria in our day-to-day lives – more than 120 species of mycobacteria have been identified. These common bacteria exist in water and soil particles that are in the air, wet places like hot tubs, steamy bathrooms, dishwashers, and even the dewy ground we walk on at the park. But not everyone is at risk of getting NTM lung disease just because they are exposed.

Those predisposed often have underlying conditions such as asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis, which makes them prone to NTM infection. NTM is not considered to be contagious. Women over the age of 65 make up the majority of those impacted, with a predominance in those of Caucasian and Asian descent.

A rare disease, NTM can often be difficult to diagnose. Many will experience coughing, fatigue, weight loss and shortness of breath – all of which are common with other lung disease symptoms and other conditions like tuberculosis. With NTM, symptoms often worsen, and that is a marker not to be ignored.

It is estimated that some 86,000 individuals are living with NTM lung diseases, and it is on the rise growing 8% each year. Coastal regions including Gulf States have higher rates of infection accounting for 70% of annual NTM cases.

While no cure is available, treatments to manage NTM are available. Treatment for NTM involves antibiotic and multidrug regimens with duration lasting from months to years with tolerability and adverse reactions to treatment which often leads to a lack of adherence to therapy.

There is a valuable need to develop medicines that are well tolerated and effective that lends to consistent patient use and alleviates symptoms of NTM lung disease. MannKind continues to progress MNKD-101 (Clofazimine) for the treatment of NTM.

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Release Details

MannKind Announces Partnership With Type 1 Diabetes IndyCar Driver Conor Daly

05/13/21
PDF Version

Daly to drive bold “Tired of Pricks?” design for Ed Carpenter Racing
at GMR Grand Prix on May 15 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indiana native to share personal journey and raise awareness
about diabetes and innovative management options

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. and INDIANAPOLIS, May 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq: MNKD) is revved up to announce an elevated partnership for the 2021 season with NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver Conor Daly, who is living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and will help raise awareness about diabetes and innovative management options. MannKind will also be a primary sponsor for Ed Carpenter Racing as Daly debuts the No. 20 MannKind Chevrolet at the May 15th running of the GMR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“MannKind first met Conor in early 2019, and his ability to rise above any challenge he’s faced really resonates with us,” said Michael Castagna, CEO of MannKind Corporation. “We are driven to find new ways to give people control of their health, and Conor exemplifies the very spirit of MannKind’s mission – living life without limits.”

Daly was first diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 14, and today is the only known U.S. professional racing driver who competes full-time while living with T1D. “I’m excited to work with MannKind again for the 2021 racing season and I look forward to sharing my T1D story through this partnership,” said Daly. “I can’t wait to get the No. 20 MannKind Chevrolet on the track this weekend.”

The No. 20 MannKind Chevrolet will feature an edgy “Tired of Pricks?” tagline –a purposeful wordplay designed to draw attention to NeedleFreeInsulin.com. To highlight the text, the car presents in a color scheme of magenta and teal which derives from MannKind’s brand palette.

“We’re thrilled to introduce this head-turning livery when Conor represents Ed Carpenter Racing this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said Alejandro Galindo, Chief Commercial Officer of MannKind Corporation. “As part of an extended marketing partnership, we will work closely with Daly on a series of appearances to stress that living with diabetes should not stop you from fully living your dreams. The first event is being planned for the week of Indy 500 in late May.”

Like many professional racers, Daly started regularly competing in karting at the age of 10. Four years later, he encountered a hurdle when he found himself heading to the hospital having lost weight and possessing an insatiable thirst for water. “I ended up not racing that day, but rather had tests run to learn what was going on with me,” recalled Daly. That answer came in the form of a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis.

“It came as a surprise, but I knew that this was just another challenge life was presenting, and I wasn’t going to let it slow me down,” said Daly. True to his conviction, less than a week later he was back racing at the go-kart track and went on to take home the 2006 World Karting Association Grand Nationals title. He progressed to car racing in 2007, and has continued to thrive in the sport he loves.

After finding success in both United States and international open-wheel ladder systems, Daly made the decision to concentrate solely on American motorsports in 2015. Over the past seven years, he has competed in over 60 Indy car races. The 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season is Daly's second with ECR. He will compete for ECR in 14 of 17 events this year, driving the No. 20 Chevrolet during the road and street course events. When ECR team owner Ed Carpenter steps back into the No. 20 for the Indianapolis 500 later this month, Daly will shift over to the No. 47 U.S. Air Force Chevrolet. Known for a desire to sharpen his skills by racing in different disciplines, Daly has recently competed in USAC Midgets, Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

About MannKind Corporation
MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq: MNKD) focuses on the development and commercialization of inhaled therapeutic products for patients with endocrine and orphan lung diseases. MannKind is currently commercializing Afrezza® (insulin human) Inhalation Powder, the Company’s first FDA-approved product and the only inhaled ultra-rapid-acting mealtime insulin in the United States, where it is available by prescription from pharmacies nationwide. Afrezza is also available by prescription in Brazil, where it is commercialized by the Company’s partner, Biomm SA. MannKind was established in 1991, and is headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif. with a manufacturing and R&D facility based in Danbury, Conn. The Company also employs field sales and medical representatives across the U.S. Please visit mannkindcorp.com to learn more.

About Ed Carpenter Racing
Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) will be entering its 10th season of NTT INDYCAR SERIES competition in 2021. The Indianapolis-based race team has proven its versatility by collecting seven wins across each type of track the series competes on – street and road courses, short ovals and speedways. ECR is led by IndyCar’s only team owner/driver, Ed Carpenter, three-time pole winner for the Indianapolis 500 (2013, 2014 and 2018). In 2021, Indiana natives Carpenter and Conor Daly will share the No. 20 Chevrolet as Carpenter drives the oval races and Daly takes over for the road and street course events. Both will be entered in the Indianapolis 500 alongside 2020 Rookie of the Year Rinus VeeKay, full-time driver of the No. 21 Chevrolet. ECR made its eSports debut in the 2020 iRX World Championship with Jim Beaver eSports. More information may be found at http://www.edcarpenterracing.com/.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/928f9845-3312-499c-be77-e81fc0cb7e90


CONTACTS:

For MannKind:
Christie Iacangelo, Corporate Communications
(818) 292-3500
media@mannkindcorp.com

For Ed Carpenter Racing:
Brie Rentz, Communications Director
(765) 210-2646
brie.rentz@edcarpenterracing.com

Primary Logo

No. 20 MannKind Chevrolet

Conor Daly, who is living with Type 1 diabetes, will drive the No. 20 MannKind Chevrolet at the May 15th running of the GMR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Source: MannKind