A partnership between Aerogen and WLA Health & Care AG brings acute care aerosol drug delivery from hospital settings into everyday stable use.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Hospital Technology Transfer: The Bibo Pulmifier Equine adapts Aerogen’s acute care vibrating mesh technology, which has treated more than 30 million human respiratory patients worldwide, for veterinary respiratory medicine.
- Consistent Aerosol Delivery: The cordless device generates aerosol particles with a volume median diameter (VMD) of 3.5 µm, delivering 73.3% of droplets in the 1-to-5 µm range directly to the nostrils.
- Extended Operating Life: Each nebulizer unit delivers up to 2,000 doses, representing approximately five years of daily administration without device-specific replacement costs, according to the companies.
Swiss animal health company WLA Health & Care AG has launched the Bibo Pulmifier Equine, an equine inhalation system powered by the vibrating mesh technology of aerosol drug delivery company Aerogen, according to WLA Health & Care.
The strategic collaboration adapts acute and critical care aerosol technology from human healthcare for veterinary respiratory care across Europe, the companies stated. Aerogen’s vibrating mesh technology has been used in clinical hospital settings for over 25 years and has supported more than 30 million respiratory patients across 80 countries, according to the release.
“For many years, I worked towards making a technology available to horses that is as reliable as human medicine,” said Armin Probst, chief executive officer of WLA Health & Care AG. “Seeing this become a reality makes me incredibly proud. The collaboration with Aerogen – a proven leader in aerosol drug delivery – has made this product a reality. For me, it is the fulfilment of a long-held goal.”
Aerosol Performance and System Specifications
The vibrating mesh nebulizer (VMN) turns liquid medication into an aerosol utilizing a high-frequency vibrating mesh, WLA Health & Care AG reported. The system produces aerosol droplets with a volume median diameter (VMD) of 3.5 µm, with 73.3% of droplets measuring between 1 and 5 µm to facilitate pulmonary deposition.
According to company specifications, a single nebulizer unit delivers up to 2,000 doses, based on a reference application of 10 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl). With daily use, this lifespan represents approximately five years of administration without recurring device-specific costs.
The device operates cordlessly via battery power, requiring no cables or external electrical power sources during administration in the stable or field, according to the announcement. The controller holds an IP44 rating, providing protection against solid objects of 1 mm or larger and against water splashes from any direction.
Mask Design and European Distribution
Developed in collaboration with veterinarians, the system features a mask with an integrated aerosol chamber engineered for targeted delivery directly into the horse’s nostrils, according to the release. The system offers two mask choices: the Cordura SoftFit mask for daily stable and training use, and the PE PureFit mask, which includes an antibacterial silver additive that achieved a 99.99% bacterial reduction after 24 hours in testing against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
“Aerogen’s vibrating mesh technology has proven its efficacy in over 30 million respiratory patients,” said Patrick Power, vice president of business development and corporate strategy at Aerogen and co-chief executive of WLA Health & Care AG, in a news release. “This strategic partnership brings that technology from human healthcare into equine care. But taking our technology into a new field is not just a question of engineering. You need people with a unique understanding of the sector. In WLA Health & Care AG, we found the right partner and look forward to delivering the future of equine inhalation care together.”
Manufactured in Ireland and Germany, the Bibo Pulmifier Equine became commercially available throughout Europe on Oct 15, 2026, according to the company.
