Novartis has entered into a global collaboration with Schering-Plough Corporation to develop and commercialise a novel once daily inhaled fixed-dose combination therapy for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), two of the world's most prevalent and urgent respiratory diseases.
The goal is to develop a new therapy that would combine the therapeutic benefits of the once daily long and fast acting Beta2-agonist QAB149 (indacaterol) of Novartis and Schering-Plough's once-daily oral corticosteroid mometasone (Asmanex) in a single inhalation device. The combined product would have the potential to offer patients improved symptom control, convenience and compliance through once-daily dosing.
Combination products containing inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting Beta2-agonists are the largest class within the growing worldwide asthma and COPD market. An inhaled bronchodilator corticosteroid combination with true 24-hour efficacy and rapid onset of action could be an important new treatment option to help patients suffering from these serious and life-threatening diseases that continue to claim millions of lives annually.
"By working together, we can combine our expertise and commitment in the respiratory field to provide improved treatment options that will potentially benefit millions of patients with asthma and COPD. The combination of indacaterol with mometasone would be a significant addition to our respiratory pipeline, demonstrating our commitment to the development of important new products to improve disease control for patients," said Thomas Ebeling CEO of Novartis Pharma AG.
James Shannon, MD, and Global Head of Development at Novartis Pharma AG, added: "To maximize patient benefits from a novel respiratory medication such as indacaterol, it is essential to consider both flexibility and the optimum inhaler device options for the product. Novartis is planning to develop indacaterol both as a monotherapy and in fixed-dose combinations to provide flexible therapeutic options for physicians and patients."
The indacaterol-mometasone development is the latest stage in a long-term collaboration between Novartis and Schering-Plough. In November 2002, the two companies announced an agreement granting Schering-Plough exclusive US distribution and marketing rights to the Foradil Aerolizer (formoterol fumarate inhalation powder). In April 2003, the companies announced an agreement to jointly develop and market worldwide a novel therapy combining Foradil (formoterol fumarate) with Schering Plough's Asmanex.