inhaled hydroxychloroquine sulphate (Cyclops)

Inhaled hydroxychloroquine sulphate (Cyclops) is a dry powder formulation of hydroxychloroquine sulphate specifically developed for the treatment of COVID-19. Developed through a collaboration between the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), the University of Groningen, and PureIMS B.V., the drug is delivered via the Cyclops dry powder inhaler, a high-dose, disposable device. The formulation utilizes hydroxychloroquine sulphate comicronized with 4% L-leucine to optimize aerosol dispersion and lung deposition. The therapeutic rationale is to deliver high concentrations of the drug directly to the respiratory tract—the primary site of SARS-CoV-2 infection—thereby enhancing antiviral efficacy while minimizing systemic exposure and the risk of systemic adverse effects such as QT prolongation. A Phase 1 pilot study (NCT04497519) conducted in healthy volunteers demonstrated that the inhaled formulation was safe and well-tolerated.

Other names

iHCQinhaled hydroxychloroquinedry powder hydroxychloroquine