BI EquiHaler opens a new front on equine asthma

BI EquiHaler opens a new front on equine asthma
The revolutionary new Equihaler from BI took a decade to develop.

Equine Asthma is the most common respiratory disease in horses. It can have a significant impact on performance and quality of life for affected animals. Now, however, horses that suffer from severe equine asthma can now benefit from Aservo EquiHaler – the first inhaled treatment approved for use in horses.

The development of Aservo EquiHaler by the BI Animal Health Research & Development team has taken more than 10 years and has been the result of a collaboration with BI’s Human Pharma business, using its Respimat inhaler technology. The Respimat inhaler used in human respiratory disease is characterised by the Soft Mist technology, which was integrated into the new Aservo.

EquiHaler allows medication to be inhaled deep into the horse’s lungs. The active ingredient is ciclesonide, which is a corticosteroid that is activated directly in the lung, reducing the lower airway inflammation associated with severe equine asthma and reducing the risks commonly associated with systemic corticosteroids.

Aservo EquiHaler includes an ergonomic handle and dosing lever for ease of user handling, and a nostril adaptor that fits gently inside the nostril of the horse, allowing them to easily inhale the medicated mist.

It is because of these particular design features that in April this year, Aservo EquiHaler was given the prestigious Red Dot Award for Product Design.