Vectura Group plc, an inhalation CDMO, has signed of a global license and development agreement with Aerami Therapeutics Inc. for inhaled imatinib (VR325) for the treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
 
Aerami will be responsible for the overall development and commercialization of inhaled imatinib, with Vectura providing development services expertise and a license to its Fox mesh nebuliser technology.
 
Under the partnership, Vectura will receive development fees, revenue from the provision of Fox nebulizer devices and mid-single digit royalties from global net sales of imatinib, together with regulatory and success-related milestone payments.  There is no upfront payment.
 
“Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is a rare, progressive, fatal disease with approximately 500-1000 new cases diagnosed each year in the U.S. alone according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders¹. In working together with Aerami, this programme has the potential to impact the lives of patients around the world,” commented Will Downie, CEO of Vectura. “Our deep inhalation expertise, especially now as a CDMO, perfectly complements the scientific capability of Aerami in the biotechnology field. We look forward to developing a strong partnership for years to come.”
 
VR325, inhaled imatinib, was first developed by Vectura as part of its former specialty pharma pipeline. As the company pivoted to a strategy focused on the CDMO market, it announced it would cease further investment in this portfolio, instead providing development services to a more diverse range of biotech and pharmaceutical companies in the growing inhalation CDMO space.
  
Reference
¹ rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/pulmonary-arterial-hypertension/