MDI, CSIRO team to cut Penthrox production costs

Australian healthcare company Medical Developments International (MDI) and the CSIRO will team up to improve the production process for pain relief product Penthrox.

MDI and the CSIRO will collaborate on a more cost-effective production method for methoxyflurane, the pain-relief ingredient used in Penthrox.

The CSIRO will invest $750,000 into the project under its Australian Growth Partnerships (AGP) program.

Penthrox, commonly known as the 'green whistle', is an inhaler currently sold in 11 countries worldwide. In Australia, it is in common use as an analgesic by emergency medical practitioners, defence forces and ambulance services.

The drug is fast acting, self-administered, non-addictive and non-narcotic.

MDI is the only company in the world to produce both Penthrox and the methoxyflurane ingredient. The company is seeking regulatory approval to also sell the product in the UK and Europe, and so aims to reduce the costs of the manufacturing process to facilitate large-scale production.

“Through our partnership with CSIRO, we hope to scale-up the production of methoxyflurane by developing a smarter, more efficient manufacturing process,” MDI CEO John Sharman said.