Vectura has announced that it has partnered with Chinese pharmaceutical company Tianjin KingYork Group and Hong Kong private equity investor Zendex Bio Strategy to create Tianjin Kinnovata Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Kinnovata”). The new company will develop, manufacture, and market inhaled drugs for asthma and COPD in Asia.
Kinnovata will be an independent company headed by Chris Chan and headquartered in Tianjin. Vectura will hold 35%, Zendex 15%, and KingYork 50%. The Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry has also entered into an agreement with Kinnovata to develop DPIs for the company.
The first products from Kinnovata will be based on Vectura’s Clickhaler and Duohaler dry powder inhaler technology, and the new company will get formulation information and regulatory dossiers for Clickhaler products approved in the EU. According to Vectura, the company has already filed an application with the SFDA to import the Asmacal salbutamol (albuterol) Clickhaler DPI.
Vectura Chief Executive Chris Blackwell commented, “There is a clear, large and growing need in China and other Asian markets for more affordable, locally-produced asthma and COPD products and, for some time, we have been looking for the best means of entry. Combining Vectura’s established technology with KingYork’s local regulatory expertise and experience in corticosteroid products, Kinnovata has an opportunity to capture a significant market share of the growing Asian respiratory market.”
KingYork Chairman Lu Yanchang added, “Vectura is an ideal partner for our venture, as it has a track record of innovation, successful partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies and proven technology. With our help, Kinnovata has an opportunity to establish itself as a leading Chinese respiratory company. The majority of patients in China are not receiving adequate therapy for their asthma or COPD. We aim to introduce DPI products made in China using Vectura’s proven technology.”
Read the Vectura press release.
