Aptar Pharma has acquired Pulmotree, a Munich-based life sciences company developing pulmonary drug delivery technology, in a move aimed at expanding its respiratory portfolio and accelerating the development and commercialization of the Kolibri non-propellant liquid inhaler platform. The acquisition adds a technology designed to deliver inhaled medicines directly to the lungs, including complex molecules such as biologics. Aptar Pharma plans to combine Kolibri with its existing formulation development, device engineering, regulatory and manufacturing capabilities to help pharmaceutical companies advance new inhaled therapies from development toward commercialization.

The deal builds on an exclusive collaboration between the companies established in 2024. Over the past two years, Aptar Pharma and Pulmotree have worked with pharmaceutical partners to evaluate the Kolibri platform and provide hands-on experience with the technology.

Gael Touya, president and CEO of Aptar, says the acquisition expands the company’s ability to support increasingly complex inhaled treatments. He notes that integrating Kolibri with Aptar Pharma’s broader capabilities could help customers progress innovative therapies while creating additional growth opportunities for the business.

Kolibri uses a breath-triggered vibrating mesh system to generate an aerosol without relying on propellants. Its breath-guidance technology is designed to improve targeted deposition of medication in the lungs. The platform also incorporates connectivity features intended to support treatment monitoring, patient engagement and the collection of real-world data on therapy use.

Non-propellant liquid inhalers, which include nebulizers and soft-mist inhalers, offer an alternative to conventional propellant-based delivery systems. Technologies in this category are being developed to address the needs of newer inhaled formulations, including medicines that may be difficult to deliver using established devices.

The acquisition also creates opportunities to integrate Kolibri with services from other Aptar businesses. These include Nanopharm’s formulation development and analytical capabilities, Noble’s human factors expertise and patient onboarding support, and Aptar Digital Health’s digital services. Together, these resources could help pharmaceutical partners coordinate formulation development, optimize device design and support patients throughout treatment.

Jonathan Mulpas, Aptar Pharma’s director of business development for the pulmonary category, says interest from pharmaceutical partners during the companies’ collaboration had reinforced the need for differentiated, patient-focused inhalation technologies.

Pulmotree CEO Ulf Krüger describes joining Aptar as a natural progression of the existing partnership, adding that the acquisition is intended to maintain continuity for customers while providing the platform with the resources and global reach of a larger organization.

With Pulmotree now part of its business, Aptar Pharma plans to apply its manufacturing, regulatory and commercial expertise to advance Kolibri through further development and clinical evaluation toward a potential market launch. The acquisition strengthens the company’s position in pulmonary drug delivery as pharmaceutical developers explore new ways to administer complex therapies and improve the patient experience.

For more information, visit www.aptar.com.