Almirall/ Nycomed COPD co-branding deal

Almirall and Nycomed have entered into a co-branding agreement for the commercialisation of roflumilast, the once-daily tablet for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in Spain.

Roflumilast is an orally administered phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) enzyme inhibitor, and the first oral anti-inflammatory treatment for COPD.

Nycomed will receive an undisclosed upfront fee from Almirall, who will be exclusively promoting a second brand of roflumilast in Spain.

Luciano Conde, Almirall's chief operating officer, said: "This product, an entirely new class of treatment, has a strong strategic fit in our business and is fully complementary with other bronchodilator treatments in COPD such as our R&D product aclidinium bromide which is expected to be filed this year.

"We expect roflumilast to generate sales as of this year and could become one of Almirall's key products in the mid-term," he added.