Riker Laboratories

Riker Laboratories was a pioneering pharmaceutical company founded in 1948 as a subsidiary of the Rexall Drug Company. The company is most famous for inventing the first metered-dose inhaler (MDI) in 1956, which revolutionized the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In 1970, Riker was acquired by 3M, eventually forming the core of 3M Pharmaceuticals. Throughout its history, the company developed several important medications, including the anti-arrhythmic agent Tambocor and various respiratory therapies. Although 3M divested its pharmaceutical interests in 2006, the legacy of Riker's drug delivery innovations remains a standard in modern medicine. The company's research and development efforts significantly advanced the fields of pulmonology and cardiology.