AstraZeneca licenses new asthma therapy from Synairgen

AstraZeneca has agreed a global licensing deal with Synairgen for a novel therapy for respiratory tract viral infections in patients with severe asthma.

The agreement will see AstraZeneca pay Synairgen a $7.25 million (4.31 million pounds) upfront fee and potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $225 million for the compound SNG001, plus future sales-based royalties.

An inhaled interferon beta therapy that is currently in phase II clinical development, SNG001 supports the immune system by correcting a deficiency which makes patients vulnerable to respiratory tract viral infections.

AstraZeneca will commence a new phase IIa study of the drug in patients with severe asthma in early 2015.

Maarten Kraan, head of respiratory, inflammation and autoimmune innovative medicines at AstraZeneca, said: "Respiratory disease is a core therapeutic area for AstraZeneca and a key growth platform for the company. Our approach includes addressing associated complications that patients experience, as well as developing treatments for the underlying disease."

This comes after the firm announced new clinical data earlier this month showing the glycaemic control benefits of Bydureon, its approved therapy for type 2 diabetes.