GSK and Theravance have announced that the European Commission has approved Relvar Ellipta fluticasone furoate/vilanterol (FF/VI) DPI for the treatment of asthma for patients whose disease is not adequately controlled by ICS plus an as-needed SABA and for COPD where patients do not have adequate control with regular bronchodilator use. Relvar has been approved in … [Read more...] about Relvar Ellipta approved in EU
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Intertek announces new comprehensive OINDP services
Intertek, which recently acquired Melbourn Scientific, has announced the launch of development, formulation and characterization service for both large and small molecule inhaled and nasal drug products. The acquisition of Melbourn Scientific was announced in July 2013. The company's OINDP services include formulation, analytical method development and validation, … [Read more...] about Intertek announces new comprehensive OINDP services
Civitas gets new patent for inhaled L-dopa
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued Civitas Therapeutics US Patent No. 8,545,878, with an expiration date of November 16, 2032, for a patent titled “Capsules containing high doses of levodopa for pulmonary use.” Civitas says that it now has more than 115 patents related to its CVT-301 inhaled L-dopa for the treatment of Parkinson's … [Read more...] about Civitas gets new patent for inhaled L-dopa
Bend Research adds spray drying capacity
Bend Research has announced a $20+ million expansion of its commercial spray drying capacity, including a new commercial manufacturing facility with two PSD spray dryer process trains. The company expects completion and validation of the new facility by mid-2015. By spring of 2014, the company said that it will also have added another high-capacity PSD spray dryer … [Read more...] about Bend Research adds spray drying capacity
Acorda submits regulatory application for diazepam nasal spray
In a November 5, 2013 interview on CNBC, Acorda CEO Ron Cohen announced that the company has filed a regulatory application to the FDA for its diazepam nasal spray for the treatment of epilepsy. Acorda has announced previously that it planned to submit a 505(b)(2) application for the product. Cohen said that if the drug is approved, the drug could be marketed as … [Read more...] about Acorda submits regulatory application for diazepam nasal spray
Novartis closer to closing UK respiratory R&D site
Novartis has announced that "it will initiate consultation on proposals to close" its respiratory R&D center in Horsham, UK. According to Novartis, the potential closing will affect "up to 371 roles" at the site, plus 170 contractors. The company also said that it is also withdrawing support for COPD products in the UK. In August 2012, the company reaffirmed its … [Read more...] about Novartis closer to closing UK respiratory R&D site
Sunovion gets FDA warning letter for Brovana claims
The US FDA has issued a warning letter to Sunovion regarding claims made in four patient brochures aimed respectively at COPD patients currently using MDIs, DPIs, nebulized short acting beta agonists, or any medication giving insufficient control. According to the FDA, the brochures overstate the efficacy of Sunovion's Brovana arformoterol tartrate inhalation solution … [Read more...] about Sunovion gets FDA warning letter for Brovana claims
Copley Scientific introduces new critical flow controller for DPI testing
Copley Scientific's new TPK-R critical flow controller is designed specifically to connect to the right-hand outlet of NGI cascade impactor, allowing for efficient use of bench space, the company says. The TPK-R is a mirror image of the TPK critical flow controller but is otherwise identical, providing a constant flow rate for aerodynamic particle size distribution … [Read more...] about Copley Scientific introduces new critical flow controller for DPI testing
Tudorza Genuair approved in Canada
Health Canada has approved Almirall's Tudorza Genuair aclidinium bromide DPI for the treatment of COPD, Almirall Canada has announced. Forest Laboratories is partnered with Almirall on commercialization of the product in Canada and in the US. The inhaler was approved in the US, where it is called Tudorza Pressair, and in Europe, where it is called Eklira Genuair or … [Read more...] about Tudorza Genuair approved in Canada
Breo Ellipta now available in US
GlaxoSmithKline and Theravance have announced the availability of the Breo Ellipta fluticasone furoate/vilanterol DPI in the US. The FDA approved Breo Ellipta for the treatment of COPD in May 2013. The launch triggers a $30 million milestone payment from Theravance to GSK. GSK Senior VP of the US Respiratory Business Unit Jorge Bartolome said, “Patients and … [Read more...] about Breo Ellipta now available in US