VEC.L Share News (VEC)

Swiss drugs giant Novartis has started a Phase III clinical study of NVA, the treatment it licensed from joint-developers Vectura Group and Sosei Group, triggering milestone payments for both companies. NVA237 is a dry powder formulation for oral inhalation of glycopyrronium bromide, intended to be used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Respiratory inhaler company Vectura and Japanese biopharmaceutical company Sosei licensed the treatment to Novartis in April 2005.“The Phase II studies demonstrated that NVA237 provides sustained 24-hour bronchodilation in patients with moderate to severe COPD. As it now enters the final stage of clinical development before market, confidence in the product is at a new high as we anticipate confirmation of such benefit in a large target patient population,” said Dr. Chris Blackwell, chief executive of Vectura.