Miist, a pioneering startup, announced the successful acquisition of $7 million in seed funding, drawing investments from prominent backers such as Refactor Capital, 1517 Fund, and Freeflow Ventures. This financial boost supports Miist's innovative development of an inhaler that resembles a vaping device, designed to aid in smoking cessation and alleviate migraines. The company is not alone in this space, with Qnovia also developing similar technology. However, Miist is making waves with its unique approach and promising results.
The core innovation of Miist's device lies in its ability to deploy the active ingredients found in standard nicotine replacement therapies, like Nicorette, using a vape-like inhaler. Unlike traditional methods, Miist's technology produces particles that are 50% smaller than those of other inhalers. These smaller particles facilitate deeper deposition into the lungs, where the lining is only one cell thick, allowing for faster absorption into the bloodstream. As a result, Miist's device can provide relief from nicotine cravings in as little as two minutes. Remarkably, smokers who used Miist's inhaler reported a 92% reduction in cravings within this short timeframe, marking a tenfold improvement over existing treatments.
In addition to nicotine replacement therapy, Miist is currently exploring the use of triptans—a class of drugs commonly used to treat migraines—in their device. The company aims to make its inhaler a prescription-approved treatment for smoking cessation, setting it apart from other startups in the sector.
“They take about 30 minutes to provide relief, but the average person relapses in 11 minutes,” said Dalton Signor.
This statement underscores the need for Miist's rapid-response technology, which outpaces traditional solutions that fall short of meeting users' needs in critical moments.
“It’s unbelievable to me that the pharma industry has overlooked this opportunity,” remarked Zal Bilmoria.
This observation highlights the gap in the pharmaceutical market that Miist seeks to fill with its cutting-edge technology. By addressing both smoking cessation and migraines with a single device, Miist aims to revolutionize how these conditions are treated.
Miist is gearing up to conduct a Phase II trial of its smoking cessation technology, a significant step towards gaining regulatory approval. This trial will further evaluate the efficacy and safety of their inhaler, bringing them closer to offering a new solution for individuals seeking to quit smoking.
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