Eiffel Technologies has entered into a collaboration with US drug delivery company Aradigm Corporation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Eiffel is supplying Aradigm with nanosized material of a model pharmaceutical compound for in vitro testing with Aradigm's AERx Delivery System, which is able to deliver drug aerosols to the deep lung.

The company sent off the re-engineered material to Aradigm at the beginning of this week, said Eiffel CEO Christine Cussen, who envisages that the company will receive feedback on the performance of the material within four months.

"Signing this agreement is further evidence of the international support for Eiffel's technology in a very competitive market," said Cussen.

"To have completed the research so quickly demonstrates that high calibre research and rapid responsiveness are not mutually exclusive."

Cussen said the agreement was significant for the company for a number of reasons.

In addition to the possibility that Aradigm would further develop its relationship with Eiffel, the collaboration would provide third party validation of the company's technology.

"Aradigm also has a good pedigree in terms of the partnerships they have," said Cussen.

Aradigm is working with GlaxoSmithKline and Novo Nordisk as well as a number of other partnerships.

Eiffel's nanosizing technology provides pharmaceutical companies the opportunity to re-engineer their products to improve drug performance and extend patent life, to effectively deliver both new and existing pharmaceuticals.

"We're demonstrating to the market that we are very active in terms of commercialising our technology," said Cussen.