Business

The board of directors of Theravance, Inc. has decided to split the organization into two separate companies by late 2013 or early 2014 in a move "designed to unlock potential value, facilitate return of capital to stockholders and further strategy of advancing medicines that address unmet medical needs," the company has announced. One company, called Theravance … [Read more...] about Theravance to split into two companies as inhalers move toward commercialization

GW Pharmaceuticals has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance in response to its patent application for a metered dose spray device for sublingual delivery of Sativex liquid cannabis extract formulation. The application serial number is 13/606,742. GW CEO Justin Gover commented, “This Notice of … [Read more...] about GW receives Notice of Allowance for patent on spray device

Galapagos subsidiary Argenta has signed an agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim to provide respiratory drug discovery services for "an undisclosed target within Boehringer Ingelheim’s respiratory disease portfolio," the company said. On its website, Argenta says that it generally expects nomination of a respiratory drug candidate within 2 years and has nominated 16 … [Read more...] about Argenta to supply respiratory drug discovery services to BI

Besins Healthcare will license the Muco (μco) intranasal system from Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories (SNBL) for delivery of its BHR-310 progesterone powder, which it is developing for the treatment of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). The SNBL system includes a muco-adhesive drug carrier and a delivery device called the Fit-Lizer. Besins Chief Development … [Read more...] about SNBL licenses intranasal delivery system to Besins for intranasal progesterone

According to Celsus Therapeutics, it has received patents for several of its pipeline drugs, including MRX-4, and intranasal multifunctional anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Celsus changed its name from Morria Biopharmaceuticals in March 2013. Celsus CEO Gur Roshwalb said, "We are pleased that the USPTO has issued the necessary … [Read more...] about Celsus announces patent for intranasal drug for allergic rhinitis

According to Asthmapolis, the company has raised $5 million in Series A financing from The Social+Capital Partnership (“Social Capital”) that it will use to "deliver new innovations and services for its comprehensive solution of sensors, leading mobile technology and personalized support, extending its reach to the more than 50 million people living with chronic … [Read more...] about Asthmapolis raises $5 million

Actavis says that it will launch 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg vials of its generic budesonide inhalation suspension immediately after the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey ruled that the products do not infringe AstraZeneca's patents on Pulmicort Respules. Actavis (then Watson) received FDA approval for its ANDA for the 0.25 and 0.5 mg strengths of the … [Read more...] about Actavis plans to launch generic version of Pulmicort Respules after favorable court ruling

Inhalation experts from the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and the University of Sydney have launched a new company called Pulmatix to provide analytical services ranging from evaluation of APIs and formulations in respiratory cells to formulation and device design optimization. Directors of the new company are Paul M. Young, Daniela Traini, Judy Black, and … [Read more...] about New inhalation testing and consulting company launched in Australia