Drugmakers Lupin and Celon Pharma SA have entered into a definitive agreement to develop fluticasone/salmeterol dry powder inhaler (DPI) product which is a generically similar version of GlaxoSmithKline’s Advair Diskus®.
GlaxoSmithKline’s Advair Diskus® is an estimated $7-billion product. Under the agreement, Lupin will be responsible for commercialisation of the product, a note from the company said.
Celon, a Polish biopharmaceutical company, will supply the product to Lupin for its commercialisation in the US, Canada, Mexico, and other key markets.
Interestingly, this respiratory segment has seen much activity over the last several months, with another Indian major — Cipla strengthening its footprint in Europe by launching respiratory products such as Salmeterol/Fluticasone in Germany and Sweden, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Croatia.
Lupin Chief Executive Vinita Gupta said in a statement that the collaboration was an important milestone in Lupin’s efforts to develop its global inhalation pipeline.