Business

Dutch intranasal vaccine developer Mucosis has received €3.7 million from the Wellcome Trust for clinical development of its SynGEM intranasal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, the company said. The money will be used to fund a Phase 1 dose-finding study and a Phase 2 challenge study conducted by researchers from the National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial … [Read more...] about Mucosis gets €3.7 million grant for development of intranasal RSV vaccine

MannKind Corporation has announced an agreement to develop "multiple inhaled therapeutic products" with a company called Receptor Life Sciences, described as a "newly formed entity." MannKind says that Receptor will license MannKind's manufacturing technology and will be responsible for manufacturing and commercialization of the products as well as all development … [Read more...] about MannKind announces deal with newly formed company

Theravance, Inc, which spun off from Theravance Biopharma in 2013, will now be known as "Innoviva" and will trade on NASDAQ under the symbol "INVA," the company said. Innoviva is partnered with GSK on the Relvar/Breo Ellipta fluticasone furoate/vilanterol DPI, the Anoro Ellipta umeclidinium/vilanterol DPI, and a vilanterol monotherapy DPI in development. Innoviva … [Read more...] about Theravance, Inc changes its name to Innoviva

Sanofi will return development and commercialization rights for Afrezza inhaled insulin to MannKind after disapponting sales, and MannKind says that it is considering strategic options for the product. Afrezza was approved by the FDA in June 2014. According to MannKind, The parties will promptly commence transition discussions in order to effect a smooth and … [Read more...] about Sanofi to return Afrezza rights to MannKind

Skyepharma has announced a partnership agreement with Mundipharma for global development and commercialization of Skyepharma's SKP-2076 ICS/LABA/LAMA fixed dose combination MDI. Mundipharma, which already markets Skyepharma's Flutiform fluticasone propionate/formoterol fumarate MDI in Europe and a number of other markets, will pay a non-refundable option fee in the … [Read more...] about Skyepharma partners with Mundipharma on triple combination MDI

GlaxoSmithKline has recalled two lots of Ventolin HFA metered dose inhalers totaling 128,704 inhalers, according to an FDA enforcement report. The company initiated the voluntary recall on December 3, 2015 due to concerns about insufficient propellant in the cans for delivery of all 200 doses. According to a copy of the recall letter posted by a distributor, the … [Read more...] about GSK recalls almost 129,000 Ventolin inhalers

AstraZeneca has announced that it will acquire Takeda's respiratory line for $575 million. According to the company, about 200 Takeda employees will transfer to AstraZeneca as part of the deal. The company is citing the acquisition of roflumilast (Daliresp/Daxas), an oral PDE4 inhibitor for the treatment of COPD, as a highlight of the deal, but it is also … [Read more...] about AstraZeneca to acquire Takeda’s respiratory business

Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli has been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigations for securities fraud involving illegal stock transactions when he was CEO of Retrophin Pharmaceuticals. Retrophin fired Shkreli in September 2014 and later divested its intranasal oxytocin and ketamine products to his new company, Turing. Retrophin has since sued … [Read more...] about Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli arrested for securities fraud