Merxin Ltd, of King's Lynn, joins forces with researchers across the globe in the battle against COVID-19

Award-winning leading medical device firm Merxin Ltd, based in Lynn, has been working with researchers across the globe to look at ways of treating and preventing COVID-19.

The company designs and supplies inhaler devices which include dry powder inhalers, soft mist inhalers, vaping devices and devices tailored to cannabinoid delivery to the lungs and nasal cavities.

During the summer months the company has been in talks with scientists around the world to see what Merxin could bring to the table in the battle against COVID-19.

Director and co-founder of Merxin, Philippe Rogueda, said he had been keen to see how Merxin could get involved. He said: "I have been in awe of the conversations we have had with research groups across the globe developing therapies and products to test, prevent or treat COVID-19 with inhalers.

"There are some good ideas underway with the Merxin devices."

He told the Lynn News Merxin had been approached for tests for COVID, vaccination against the virus and treatment of symptoms.

"It is a very dynamic environment as you can imagine. Many ideas are being floated, many tests are being carried out, people are raising funds and coming up with new concepts," he said.

"At the moment it is impacting Merxin well. Let’s see which ones of these projects lift off and make it to the market first."

He highlighted the fact that The International Society for Aerosols in Medicine (ISAM) has issued an urgent appeal for clinical decision makers and government agencies to consider the inhaled route of administration of treatment.

A report issued in June by ISAM said: "In summary, we request that decision makers and policymakers, in particular those involved in public health administration and the regulatory agencies, as well as those providers of funding sources who are considering how to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic in a timely manner, pay attention and act to access the, as yet, largely untapped potential for inhaled medication delivery to resolve the present urgent need."

Last year Merxin was named Business of the Year in the Mayor's Awards for Business.