Skyepharma says that it will begin developing a COPD therapy based on Pulmagen’s ICS “re-sensitization” technology (SKP-2075) by the end of 2014 after acquiring the IP and global rights to the Theocort platform from Pulmagen. According to Skyepharma, it plans to spend about £14 million to develop SKP-2075 through Phase 2 and then will seek to out-license the product. Skyepharma will make milestone payments to Pulmagen as well as a share of any revenues.
The Theocort platform combines an ultra-low dose of inhaled theophylline with an inhaled corticosteroid, which the company says, “has an effect of unlocking the anti-inflammatory potential of ICS in the treatment of COPD.” Pulmagen presented results from a Phase 2 trial of the therapy at ERS 2013.
Pulmagen CEO Christopher Ashton said, “We believe this approach to inhaled corticosteroid-sensitisation has significant potential in COPD and Skyepharma has exactly the right expertise to take SKP-2075 and the related platform to the next stages of development.”
Skyepharma CEO Peter Grant commented, “Pulmagen has already demonstrated better lung function with a nebulized form of SKP-2075 compared with ICS alone and this supports the concept that an ultra-low dose of inhaled theophylline could potentiate the effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with COPD. If successful, SKP-2075 could offer COPD patients an important new treatment option and Skyepharma with a patented therapy platform from which to develop further products. Following our recent capital raise we set out how our stronger balance sheet will enable us to leverage our capabilities for both inhaled product development and oral drug delivery, and this project is an excellent example of our ability to drive our next phase of growth.”
Results of the new Phase 2 trial are expected in 2017.
Read the Skyepharma press release.
