Licensing agreement signed for the launch of Utibron/Seebri in the US

Novartis and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals strike agreement for three COPD treatments.

This license is specific to the US and has no implications outside this market. Novartis will continue to manufacture these medicines for Sunovion. Novartis will also continue to commercialise Ultibro Breezhaler (indacaterol/glycopyrronium), Seebri Breezhaler (glycopyrronium) and Onbrez Breezhaler (indacaterol) to COPD patients outside of the US.

Outside the US, Novartis' indacaterol/glycopyrronium formulation Ultibro Breezhaler 110/50 mcg administered once-daily is the leading therapy in sales in its class. In all markets other than the US, Novartis has a full respiratory presence and portfolio and is committed to building category leadership and meeting the evolving needs of patients living with respiratory diseases including asthma and COPD. The COPD portfolio remains a global priority for Novartis.

James Ward-Lilley, CEO of Vectura, commented: "We are pleased that Novartis has signed this licensing agreement with Sunovion to bring Seebri and Utibron to the US market. We are confident that with its established US respiratory focus and commercialisation expertise Sunovion will be a strong partner. The launch of these products in 2017 will give doctors new treatment options for their COPD patients. We look forward to the successful US commercialisation of these products and the further contribution they will make to the substantial existing recurring and growing royalty stream we receive from Novartis as reported in our recent interim results."