BOONE – Pneuma Respiratory, a startup in Boone focused on inhaler technology, has landed $8.3 million in venture capital.

It’s the first institutional round of funding for the company.

Pneuma Respiratory

Pneuma’s lead product is a patented, breath-activated digital inhaler called Pneumahaler. It’s the first such device and is currently available only for investigational purposes, according to the company.

“We are extremely gratified by the response to our Series A capital raise and look forward to continuing Pneuma’s mission of developing greatly improved therapeutic treatments for patients who suffer from asthma and COPD [Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease],” said Eric Hunter, the CEO and founder of the company which launched in 2015.

Hunter is one of Durham-based Cree’s founders.

The company says it is targeting a market totalling some $39 billion a year.

According to Pneuma, the “system has integrated Bluetooth technology to provide feedback on drug delivery to patients, family members and health care providers. Using Pneuma’s [proprietary/patented] digital droplet ejector technology, Pneuma’s device … has the potential to ultimately deliver a spectrum of novel therapies, including biologics, through the lungs.”

The investors were not identified.