Vectura Signs Global Development and Licence Agreement with Janssen in Asthma/COPD

Vectura Group has entered into a global development and licence agreement with Janssen Biotech, for the exclusive development of novel anti-inflammatory therapies for the treatment of asthma/COPD. The collaboration will focus initially on the development of a Phase II candidate and has the potential to include additional clinical-stage candidates.

The collaboration will leverage Vectura's expertise and proprietary dry powder inhaler technologies in the development of inhaled therapeutics. Vectura will apply its delivery technologies to develop Janssen's pulmonary products into late-stage clinical development and commercialisation.

Janssen will lead the clinical development programmes, with Vectura taking responsibility for pharmaceutical development and preparation for Phase II clinical trials.

The deal comprises upfront and development milestones and a tiered royalty on net sales. Financial terms of the agreement are not disclosed.

Dr Chris Blackwell, Chief Executive of Vectura, commented: "Vectura's role in this agreement is to apply its expertise in the development of products for airway-related diseases and to utilise its technology/device platform offerings, some of which have regulatory and commercial validation.  Vectura continues to be viewed as a partner of choice by companies seeking to address the unmet medical needs of patients with airway diseases."