AIR Inhaled Insulin

AIR Inhaled Insulin was an investigational, dry-powder, inhaled formulation of human insulin developed using Alkermes’ AIR (Advanced Inhalation in Respiratory) technology as a prandial insulin replacement for people with diabetes mellitus, intended to provide rapid systemic absorption via the pulmonary route and thereby offer an alternative to subcutaneous mealtime insulin injections. The formulation contained recombinant human insulin engineered into porous particles optimized for deep-lung deposition, where insulin would be absorbed across the alveolar epithelium into the bloodstream, with pharmacokinetics designed to approximate or improve upon existing rapid-acting subcutaneous insulins. Development was pursued for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but the program was ultimately discontinued before approval amid class-level concerns about long‑term pulmonary safety and limited commercial success of earlier inhaled insulin products.

Brand names

AIR

Other names

Human Insulin Inhalation PowderAIR Inhaled Insulin SystemInhaled Human Insulin