Sunovion inks COPD drug licensing deal

USA-based Sunovion Pharmaceuticals has signed an exclusive license agreement for the US commercialization rights to three approved medicines, Utibron Neohaler (indacaterol and glycopyrrolate) inhalation powder, Seebri Neohaler (glycopyrrolate) inhalation powder and Arcapta Neohaler (indacaterol) inhalation powder, with the drugs’ developer, Swiss pharma giant Novartis (NOVN: VX).

Novartis will continue to manufacture these medicines for Sunovion, and to commercialize them outside of the USA. The UK’s Vectura receives royalty revenue from Novartis for these products, which utilize Vectura's inhaler technology.

The drugs are indicated for the long-term, maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). With this transaction, Sunovion, a subsidiary of Japanese pharma company Sumitomo Dainippon (TYO: 4506), now has the broadest COPD portfolio in the US, providing handheld and nebulized treatment options for people with all stages of COPD.