Vectura signs deal with Novartis for generic U.S. lung therapy
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[June 29, 2017] (Reuters)
- Vectura Group Plc said on Wednesday it
has signed an exclusive deal with Sandoz AG, a unit of Swiss drugmaker
Novartis, to develop a generic copy of an existing combined lung therapy
for the U.S. market.
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British drugmaker Vectura has been trying to build a specialized
lung drug business since it merged with Skypeharma last year and
said it would prioritize three to five generic projects each year.
However, the firm hasn't had it easy, following delays in its
generic drug with Hikma coming onto the market, a royalties row with
GSK, and delays in Novartis launching its Ultibro inhaler in the
U.S.
"This program represents the first partnered collaboration of this
series of projects and offers substantial potential for future value
creation," Chief Executive James Ward-Lilley said in a statement
issued after trading hours.
Vectura, which hopes to get a foothold in the $40 billion global
respiratory market, said the deal could result in payouts of $10
million if the drug achieves some development milestones.
The company also said it would develop the therapy's formula and
manufacture clinical batches to use in pilot studies, while Sandoz
would head the drug's clinical development, manufacturing and
commercialization.
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![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/Jan/26/images/ads/current/Symphony_lda_2017.png)
The therapy, which is expected to seek regulatory approval and then
be launched in the early to mid-2020, is an inhaled combination
treatment for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Aug/26/images/ads/current/humanesociety_sda022411.png)
(Reporting by Esha Vaish in Bengaluru; Edited by Martina D'Couto)
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