Novartis to build respiratory treatment portfolio

Novartis is looking to build a portfolio of innovative respiratory treatments, it has declared.

The company has gained exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise a fixed-combination of its investigational QAB149 with Schering-Plough’s inhaled corticosteroid mometasone.

Known as QMF149, it merges the bronchodilation of QAB149 with the anti-inflammatory properties of mometasone.

The businesses have collaborated since 2002 and work in this particular area began in August 2006.

Under the new agreement, Novartis will be able to develop and market QMF149, while Schering-Plough will assume exclusive rights of a fixed-combination of mometasone – as well as the former’s product Foradil (formoterol).

Dr Trevor Mundel is the global head of development at Novartis and commented on the latest arrangement.

He said: “This strengthens our strategic capabilities to develop key respiratory health solutions to people with respiratory diseases.”

Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration approved Novartis’ Prevacid 24HR (lansoprazole delayed-release capsules 15 mg).

It is the first proton pump inhibitor to be available over-the-counter since 2003 and is expected to be available later in the year.