Respiratory

As India gets set to resume COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy from October, a new rule which will require Indians visiting UK who are fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca partner Serum Institute’s vaccine to undergo quarantine has sparked a row. Meanwhile, Indian companies await a nod from the WHO for wider acceptance of their COVID-19 vaccines.

The company plans to file PT027, a new fixed-dose combination of albuterol and budesonide, in 2022 following two positive Phase III trials showing a benefit on lung function.

Recently-submitted tezepelumab reduced the annualized asthma exacerbation rate by 86% in a subgroup of patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma and nasal polyps, according to data presented at the European Respiratory Society congress.

Just over three years, Polyphor's initial public offering in Switzerland raised CHF165m. Now, with just enough cash to get through the third quarter, it has been saved by a deal with US biotech EnBiotix.

Vectura’s board of directors has chosen tobacco giant Philip Morris’s superior cash offer, turning down US private equity Carlyle, following a months-long battle between the two bidders for the inhalation specialist that was set to go to a rare auction in the UK.

Private equity group Carlyle has pulled the plug on a potential auction to take control of the UK-based Vectura group by declaring final its revised bid for the respiratory specialist. Tobacco giant Philip Morris had offered a 10% premium to Carlyle’s bid.

The Takeover Panel is stepping in to oversee an auction process after two revised offers in recent days from rivals Philip Morris and Carlyle upped the ante in the bidding war for the UK respiratory company.

Swedish biotech Amniotics is developing a broad pipeline of unique stem cell therapeutics based on technology that is broadly applicable to major disease markets which should eventually draw the attention of big pharma players, its CEO tells Scrip.

Buying the UK inhalation specialist Vectura will be key to the transformation of Philip Morris International as it looks to reduce its reliance on smoking products, CEO Jacek Olczak has declared.

Swedish biotech Cyxone’s CEO tells Scrip about its aims to become a cutting-edge developer of disease-modifying treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, but says the Scandinavian industry needs a ‘mindset change’.

Lupin’s plans for a US generic to GSK’s Advair Diskus have turned awry as its contract with Celon Pharma is close to being terminated. The company has focused on other respiratory drugs like generic ProAir and Fostair even as the revenue potential for Advair has been shrinking post Mylan’s launch.

Cash-rich private equity firms are eyeing opportunities in healthcare, especially among listed companies with sluggish share prices. The Carlyle Group could be getting a bargain if it seals a deal for the Chippenham-based inhalation specialist.