SkyePharma and Kos unveil Flutiform partnership

UK drug manufacturer SkyePharma has unveiled US-based specialist pharmaceutical company Kos as its development partner for Flutiform, a novel combination drug for asthma and chronic pulmonary artery disease (COPD).

As part of the agreement, Kos will assume full US-based marketing responsibility and give SkyePharma milestone payments of up to $165 million (88.6 million pounds), depending on certain revenue and regulation targets. Kos has already paid $25 million up front to SkyePharma.

Flutiform, an aerosol-inhaler based drug, has been patented until 2019 and is currently undergoing phase III trials in adults and adolescents. SkyePharma says it expects FDA approval in 2007 and marketing by 2009, adding that by then, the combined asthma and COPD market will be $5 billion.

SkyePharma’s chief executive, Frank Condella, said: “We believe Kos brings a therapeutically focused marketing approach that will optimise the commercial potential of Flutiform in the key US market.”

Adrian Adams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kos, added: “We are very pleased with SkyePharma’s clinical development of Flutiform(TM) for the asthma indication and are excited about this commercial opportunity in a very large and expanding market segment.”

“This strategic partnership should broaden our presence in the respiratory area, and provides a high potential partner product for Azmacort, our inhaled corticosteroid therapy,” he concluded.

Last month SkyePharma released its full results for 2005. There was “no disguising that 2005 was a difficult” year, according to its non-executive chairman, Dr Jerry Karabelas. The London-listed company recorded an operating loss of 37.5 million pounds and a net loss of 50.9 million pounds, combined with an 18 per cent reduced turnover and a 32 per cent reduction in profit.

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