Alliance aims to develop next-generation respiratory medicines
By HME News Staff
Updated Sun January 5, 2003
January 6, 2003
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. and LONDON - Theravance and GlaxoSmithKline announced today that they have formed an alliance to develop and commercialize novel medicines containing long-acting Beta2 agonists (LABA) for the treatment of respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This alliance will work to develop compounds that can be administered once daily, improving on current generation LABAs, according to a news release.
Under the terms of the agreement, the LABA compounds from GSK and Theravance will be pooled for development and eventual commercialization. A joint steering committee will be formed to optimize the development of the compounds and their time to market. GSK will have the responsibility to develop and commercialize one or more of the pooled compounds for use as a
single agent and/or in combination medicines, utilizing GSK's proprietary drug delivery technology. GSK will have exclusive, worldwide manufacturing and commercialization rights. Two of these compounds have already entered Phase I studies.
"By combining the respiratory formulation, development and commercialization expertise of GSK with Theravance's unique ability to discover and develop best-in-class medicines utilizing our multivalent approach, the two companies can create medicines
that make a difference by improving patient outcomes for people who suffer from asthma or COPD," said Rick E Winningham, CEO of Theravance.
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