Liquidia Corporation (NASDAQ: LQDA) (Liquidia or the Company) and Pharmosa Biopharm (Pharmosa) today announced that they have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for the development and commercialization in North America of L606, an inhaled, sustained-release formulation of treprostinil currently being evaluated in a clinical trial for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD).
Roger Jeffs, Chief Executive Officer of Liquidia, stated: “L606 is the perfect life-cycle complement to our pipeline and furthers our mission to provide innovative treatment options that improve the lives of patients suffering from PAH or PH-ILD. As already observed in the ongoing Phase 3 open-label study of PAH patients, Pharmosa’s novel liposomal formulation offers potential to improve patient convenience and compliance with twice-daily dosing using a short-duration, next-generation nebulizer. More importantly, we believe that the inhaled drug-device combination may provide best-in-class treprostinil exposure over a 24-hour period, including during sleeping hours, which could translate to improved efficacy, tolerability, and patient outcomes. Our investment in this collaboration, alongside our continued preparation for a potential launch of YUTREPIA™ (treprostinil) inhalation powder, are clear examples of Liquidia’s long-term commitment to addressing unmet needs in treating pulmonary hypertension and enabling choice based on patients’ preferences and circumstances.”
Pei Kan, Ph.D., President of Pharmosa, added: “Liquidia is the ideal partner to bring L606 to the North American market. Liquidia has shown an unflinching determination to bring novel products to patients, and provides clear synergies with their commercial effort, clinical expertise and deep relationships with key opinion leaders. Pharmosa will focus on advancing its sustained-release liposomal technology which has demonstrated in L606 the ability to dramatically reduce maximum systemic drug concentrations while significantly increasing local concentrations deep in the lung.”
Under the agreement, Liquidia will be responsible for development, regulatory and commercial activities of L606 in North America. Pharmosa will manufacture clinical and commercial supplies of L606 and support Liquidia in establishing a redundant global supply chain. In consideration for these exclusive rights, Liquidia will pay Pharmosa an upfront payment of $10 million, potential development and sales milestone payments of up to $215 million tied to PAH and PH-ILD indications, and two tiers of low, double-digit royalties on net sales of L606. Pharmosa will also receive a $10 million milestone payment for each additional indication and additional product approved. Liquidia retains the first right to negotiate for development and commercialization of L606 in Europe and other territories should Pharmosa seek a partner, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions as set forth in the license agreement.
Liquidia intends to seek first regulatory approval of L606 in the United States under the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway. The planned New Drug Application (NDA) is expected to include: (i) the completed Phase 1 trial demonstrating tolerability and comparable pharmacokinetics to nebulized Tyvaso (treprostinil) inhalation solution; (ii) clinical data from the on-going, open-label Phase 3 study in the United States in PAH and PH-ILD patients; and (iii) clinical data from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate treatment of PH-LD patients with L606. Liquidia intends to initiate the PH-ILD trial in first half of 2024.
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