SkyePharma to collaborate with Dr Reddy’s

SkyePharma has announced that it has signed an agreement with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories to undertake a feasibility study of a product using two of its proprietary drug delivery systems.

The cost of this study will be met by Dr Reddy’s, who will also pay SkyePharma an initial upfront sum.

If it is successful, the companies will begin full development activities later in 2008.

SkyePharma uses its drug delivery technologies to develop new formulations of already-known molecules to offer patients a clinical advantage and life-cycle extension.

The firm currently has 12 products in oral inhalation and topical delivery approved by the regulatory authorities, with its portfolio marketed worldwide by other pharmaceutical firms.

Frank Condella, chief executive officer of the company, said: ‘We are very pleased to enter into this collaboration with Dr Reddy’s on a new product development opportunity and hope to extend the collaboration to other products.”

In June 2007, SkyePharma announced that the firm had made progress during the past 12 months.

It reported continued advancement in the clinical development of Flutiform, the speeding up of its planned launches of Zyflo and Lodotra and the early installation of its Sular manufacturing line ahead of its 2008 launch.