Novartis signs licensing agreement for “unique” inhaler

Novartis, the Swiss pharmaceutical company, has signed a licensing agreement with MicroDose Technologies for its dry powder inhaler (DPI) technology.

The agreement follows successful studies designed to assess the usefulness of the technology. In exchange for exclusive rights to marketing DPI, Novartis will pay the American drug discovery company milestone fees of up to $125 million (68.9 million pounds), in addition to providing full funding for development costs and royalties.

DPI technology, which includes five products, will be used by Novartis to deliver its own respiratory drugs.

Anad Gumaste, president and chief executive of MicroDose, stated: “Novartis’ strong pipeline of proprietary new chemical entities and in-licensed compounds, combined with MicroDose’s next generation inhaler, should ensure a strong leadership position in respiratory products for years to come.”

Scott Fleming, MicroDose’s senior vice-president for marketing, added: “The MicroDose inhaler’s unique features and technologies make it a clear fit with Novartis’ stated strategic direction of bringing to market innovative and differentiated products that offer patients clear therapeutic benefits.”

Earlier this week, Novartis announced it had submitted its anti-asthma drug, Xolair, for Japanese approval for severe asthma. Xolair is the first IgE blocker designed to treat allergic asthma symptoms triggered by allergens in the air, according to the company.

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