Pfizer has launched Novartis’ Ultibro Breezhaler indacaterol/glycopyrronium DPI for the treatment of COPD in the UK, the company said. Ultibro Breezhaler was approved in Europe in September 2013. In September 2014, Pfizer announced that it had entered into an agreement with Novartis to market both Ultibro Breezhaler and the Seebri Breezhaler glycopyrronium DPI in … [Read more...] about Pfizer launches Ultibro Breezhaler in the UK
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Meda and Cipla sue Apotex over Dymista patents
Meda Pharmaceuticals and Cipla have filed suit against Apotex in the Delaware Federal District Court, claiming that Apotex's submission of an ANDA for a generic version of Dymista azelastine HCl/fluticasone propionate nasal spray violates patents related to Dymista that will not expire until 2026. Meda holds the licenses to US patents 8,163,723 and 8,168,620 … [Read more...] about Meda and Cipla sue Apotex over Dymista patents
Otsuka Pharmaceuticals to acquire Avanir
Avanir Pharmaceuticals, which just received a complete response letter from the FDA for its AVP-825 intranasal sumatriptan powder, has announced that it will be acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical for approximately $3.5 billion. Avanir will become an independent subsidiary of Otsuka America. Otsuka Pharmaceutical President and Representative Director Taro Iwamoto … [Read more...] about Otsuka Pharmaceuticals to acquire Avanir
Skyepharma announces launches in Spain, Italy, and Japan
Skyepharma has announced that Mundipharma has launched the Flutiform fluticasone/formoterol MDI for the treatment of asthma in Spain, triggering a milestone payment of €2.0 million. In addition, Mundipharma marketing partner Zambon Italia has now launched the same product in Italy under the brand name Abriff. Mundipharma Italy has been marketing the inhaler as … [Read more...] about Skyepharma announces launches in Spain, Italy, and Japan
Endo acquires rights to Trimel’s intranasal testosterone
Endo International has acquired exclusive US and Mexican rights to Trimel BioPharma's Natesto testosterone nasal gel, which was approved by the the FDA in May 2014 as a replacement treatment for men with low levels of endogenous testosterone. Endo is paying $25 million up front plus potential milestone payments. In addition, Endo will manufacture and supply the … [Read more...] about Endo acquires rights to Trimel’s intranasal testosterone
GSK Australia to add Ventolin nebules production capacity
GSK Australia has announced that it plans to invest AUD31 million in blow-fill-seal equipment for the manufacture of Venolin salbutamol nebules at its facility in Boronia, a suburb of Melbourne. The company cited increasing demand for asthma treatments from Turkey, Brazil, and China as the reason for the retrofit. The Boronia site is GSK's largest liquid product … [Read more...] about GSK Australia to add Ventolin nebules production capacity
Aegis Therapeutics gets patent for intranasal CNS drug delivery
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has awarded US Patent No 8,883,728, "Intranasal administration of active agents to the central nervous system," to Aegis Therapeutics, the company said. The patent covers, "Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for delivering a polypeptide to the central nervous system of a mammal via intranasal administration are … [Read more...] about Aegis Therapeutics gets patent for intranasal CNS drug delivery
Over 700 employees transfered from Almirall to AstraZeneca as part of respiratory drug deal
As AstraZeneca completes the acquisition of Almirall's respiratory drug franchise, which was first announced in July 2014, Almirall says that 719 employees will transfer to AstraZeneca. The deal includes the inhalation R&D company Almirall Sofotec as well as a number of inhalers, including the Eklira/Bretaris/Tudorza aclidinium DPI, the Duaklir Genuair … [Read more...] about Over 700 employees transfered from Almirall to AstraZeneca as part of respiratory drug deal
Sales of Zomig nasal spray increase 54%
Impax Laboratories has reported a 19.1% increase in total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 compared to the third quarter of the prior year. The company attributes a portion of the increase in revenues to a 54% increase in sales of Zomig zolmitriptan nasal spray, which it markets in the US for the treatment of migraine. Impax acquired the rights to … [Read more...] about Sales of Zomig nasal spray increase 54%
BMS makes deal for inhaled galectin-3 inhibitor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Bristol-Myers Squibb could pay a total of up to $444 million to acquire Galecto Biotech and its TD139 inhaled galectin-3 inhibitor for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), plus potential milestones. The newly announced deal includes an option to acquire the company that must be exercised no later than 60 days after completion of a Phase 1b trial of … [Read more...] about BMS makes deal for inhaled galectin-3 inhibitor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis