GSK and Theravance have announced the launch of Anoro Ellipta umeclidinium/vilanterol inhalation powder in the United States, triggering a $30 million milestone payment from Theravance to GSK. The FDA approved Anoro Ellipta for the treatment of COPD in December 2013.
Senior VP of GSK’s Respiratory Business Unit Jorge Bartolome commented, “We understand that COPD is a progressive disease affecting an estimated 27 million people in the US alone. Anoro Ellipta is an important treatment option for appropriate patients with COPD, and we are proud to make it available in the US.”
Theravance CEO Rick E. Winningham added, “We are very pleased that Anoro Ellipta, the latest combination medicine to be developed as a result of our partnership with GSK, is now available in the US. We believe this product will add to the choice of treatment options available to healthcare physicians when considering how to help meet the needs of their patients.”
Read the GSK/Theravance press release.
