Discovery Laboratories has entered into a definitive agreement with Lacey Manufacturing, a unit of Precision Engineered Products, to manufacture and supply product for the commercial launch of Afectair. Discovery Labs anticipates that the drug will be commercially available in late 2012.

"This manufacturing and supply agreement with Lacey is an important operational milestone that takes us one step closer to the commercial introduction of Afectair later this year," said Thomas F. Miller, senior vice president and chief operating Officer of Discovery Labs. "We believe Lacey is the right manufacturing partner for Discovery Labs as they have substantial experience with medical device injection molding and a proven track record of achieving program objectives with industry-leading medical technology companies."

Afectair is a series of ventilator circuit/patient interface connectors and related componentry that simplifies the delivery of inhaled therapies to critical care patients requiring ventilatory support. Discovery Labs is pursuing a European Conformity (CE) marking for commercialization of the initial Afectair products in the EU and can potentially launch in late 2012.