VEC.L Share News (VEC)

Respiratory inhaler firm Vectura remains "very confident" about prospects with important drug trials due to start later this year and plenty of cash in the bank.Phase III trials of QVA149 to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are expected to start in late 2009. The drug combines Vectura's NVA237 and indacaterol (QAB149), developed by Swiss group Novartis.Good progress has been made on VR315, a generic combination asthma/COPD product licensed to Novartis unit Sandoz. US and European collaborations have pulled in £5.8m since April.Vectura expects results from Phase II studies of cystic fibrosis treatment VR496 and VR040 for Parkinson's disease in 2010It also predicts cash balances at 30 September 2009 will be above £70m."We have continued to make good progress with our clinical pipeline whilst maintaining our strong financial position," said chief executive Chris Blackwell."We have important newsflow ahead and remain very confident of Vectura's prospects."