Vectura says Novartis signs US licensing agreement for COPD treatments

Vectura announced that Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis has signed a licensing agreement with Sunovion Pharmaceuticals for the US commercialisation rights to three treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for which it receives royalty revenues.

Novartis, whose products use Vectura’s inhaler technology, signed the agreement for Utibron Neohaler, Seebri Neohaler (glycopyrrolate) and Arcapta Neohaler (indacaterol) inhalation powder.

The license is specific to the US and has no implications outside this market, Vectura said.

Chief executive officer James Ward-Lilley said: “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."

At 1450 GMT, Vectura shares were down 2.6% to 133p.