Vectura to collaborate on COPD therapy

Respiratory disease specialist Vectura has said it is to collaborate with a 'leading pharmaceutical company' to develop and market a new combination asthma/COPD therapy in the US.

The unnamed company will replace Novartis' generics arm Sandoz in the deal to make use of Vectura's proprietary technology to bring investigational drug VR315 to the US market. Sandoz is continuing to develop for Europe.

Vectura will receive an initial payment of $10m, with $35m available in milestone payments. Royalties will also be available.

The company's partner will be responsible for the commercialisation and manufacture of the product together with clinical development.

Dr Chris Blackwell, CEO of Vectura, commented: "This is a major endorsement of the potential value of this product, Vectura's technology and product development expertise."