Roivant acquires global rights to Patara’s inhaled cromolyn sodium

Roivant Sciences has acquired global rights to Patara Pharma’s PA101 cromolyn sodium inhalation solution for the treatment of chronic cough in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the company said. The inhalation solution, which will now be called RVT-1601, is delivered via the PARI eFlow nebulizer.

In 2016, Patara announced positive results from a Phase 2 study of PA101 for this indication. Roivant said that it plans to begin a Phase 2b trial but did not indicate a time frame for initiation of the study.

According to the announcement, Roivant also acquired “other related assets” from Patara Pharma. A single-page website for Patara indicates that PA101 was the company’s only product.

Roivant Pharma President Mayukh Sukhatme commented, “We are excited to expedite the development of this promising therapeutic. It will form the foundation for a new Vant at Roivant Pharma with an experienced leadership team focused on advancing innovative treatments for respiratory diseases with high unmet needs.”

In June 2018, Roivant Sciences announced that it had launched Roivant Pharma “to focus its efforts on accelerating the launch of new innovative healthcare companies,” which it refers to as “Vants.”

Read the Roivant Sciences press release.