Vectura and Pulmatrix sign branded generic tiotropium bromide development agreement

Major new tiotropium bromide DPI development programme accelerated through licensing of Pulmatrix technology.

Vectura's innovative dry power inhaler (DPI) device technology will be used to deliver PUR0200. VR410 is a branded generic alternative to Spiriva HandiHaler in the US.

In addition, under the agreement Vectura may develop the PUR0200 formulation in combination with one or more other APIs. This provides Vectura with the opportunity for future additional combination assets to compete in the growing US LAMA/LABA market, worth $407 million in 2016. This development will be actively pursued once the monotherapy project is established.

Pulmatrix will provide the data package for PUR0200 and assist with the transfer of development and manufacturing activities to Vectura. As part of the agreement, a technology access fee of $1 million will be payable to Pulmatrix upon successful achievement of pre-agreed pharmaceutical development criteria, which will be capitalised as an intangible asset and amortised in line with the requirements of IFRS.

Vectura will commence development immediately and then plans to license VR410 and future VR410 assets to partners who would fund the remaining development and undertake commercialisation activities. After partnering, Vectura would pay Pulmatrix a mid-teen percentage share of any future revenues that Vectura receives from partners relating to the development and sale of VR410 and VR410-related products, including any future combinations.

James Ward-Lilley, CEO, commented: "With this agreement Vectura now has active substitutable or branded generic development programmes for all the major established inhaled products in the US market. Tiotropium is one of the largest opportunities in the inhaled respiratory market and the agreement with Pulmatrix enables Vectura to accelerate its plans for both monotherapy and combination programmes. The development of inhaled generics requires specialised capabilities which are scarce in the industry but are core competencies of Vectura. Today's announcement is part of the expanded generic portfolio enabled through the merger of Vectura and Skyepharma."