Drug major Lupin has inked a pact with Poland-based Celon Pharma to jointly develop and market a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline’s Advair Diskus, a drug used to treat asthma, in global markets.
Lupin and Celon Pharma SA have entered into a definitive agreement under which the companies will jointly develop fluticasone/ salmeterol dry powder inhaler (DPI) product which is a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline’s Advair Diskus, the Mumbai-based firm said in a statement.
Under the agreement inked between the two companies, Lupin will be responsible for commercialisation of the product.
“Celon will supply the product to Lupin for its commercialisation in the US, Canada, Mexico, and other key markets,” it added.
GlaxoSmithKline’s Advair Diskus had global sales of over $7 billion as of last fiscal.
“This collaboration is an important milestone in Lupin’s efforts to evolve its global inhalation pipeline. We are very pleased to partner with Celon given their experience in the development and manufacturing of fluticasone/ salmeterol DPI in Europe,” Lupin CEO Vinita Gupta said.
This, coupled with Lupin’s expertise in inhalation product development and commercialisation in the US and other markets, will accelerate the development of generic Advair Diskus for global markets, she added.
Commenting on the development, Celon CEO and Managing Director Maciej Wieczorek said the company’s scientific and technical teams look forward to collaborating with Lupin to bring this product to major markets outside of Poland.
“We are enthusiastic and believe that both the companies would work together to complete a time-bound research and development programme to ensure successful registration in targeted markets, for Lupin to effectively commercialise the product,” Wieczorek added.
Lupin has been ramping up investments in niche and speciality therapies such as inhalation and complex injectables as it gears up to grow as a speciality pharmaceutical player in the US and other key markets.
The company has set up a dedicated centre of excellence for inhalation research in Florida after having hired top notch inhalation scientists last fiscal.
Lupin shares were trading 1.20 per cent down at Rs 1,658.95 apiece during pre-close session on the BSE.