Vectura inks deal to develop generic versions of GSK's Ellipta

8 November 2018

UK developer of inhaled therapies Vectura Group (LSE: VEC) saw its shares rocket 11.62% to 79.70 pence as it revealed the signing of an agreement with London-based Hikma Pharmaceuticals (LSE: HIK) for the global development and commercialization of generic versions of GlaxoSmithKline’s (LSE: GSK) Ellipta portfolio, utilizing Vectura’s proprietary Open-Inhale-Close dry powder inhaler device. Hikma also rose 6.86% to 2,049 pence.

Ellipta is used for a number of products for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), netting ~$660 million for GSK in the third quarter of 2018.

Following interactions with the US Food and Drug Administration, the Open-Inhale-Close dry powder inhaler device has the potential to be developed as an AB-rated substitutable drug-device combination for generic versions of the GSK Ellipta portfolio. This presents a significant opportunity, with net sales for Ellipta products in the US projected to be $4 billion by 2024 and over $5.5 billion globally, according to Vectura.

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