Taiwan's Pharmosa Biopharm expands collaboration with Liquida for smart-technology nebulizers

Liquidia Corporation, a US-based biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare cardiopulmonary diseases, and Taiwan-based Pharmosa Biopharm have amended the current exclusive licensing agreement for the development and commercialisation 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).

The amended agreement expands Liquidia’s licensed territory beyond North America to include key markets in Europe, Japan and elsewhere. Pharmosa will retain certain territories, including China, Korea, Taiwan, Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Southeast Asia.

Liquidia has also obtained certain rights to Pharmosa’s next-generation smart-technology nebulizers for use with its proprietary liposomal drug formulations.

Unlike current nebulised treatments for PAH and PH-ILD, these palm-sized, lightweight, virtually silent nebulizers provide portability like a dry-powder inhaler and rapidly deliver a dose using breath-actuated smart technology that adapts to a patient’s normal breathing pattern.

Liquidia will be responsible for the development, regulatory and commercial activities of L606 in the expanded territory. Pharmosa will continue to manufacture clinical and commercial supplies of L606. In consideration for these incremental exclusive rights, Liquidia will pay Pharmosa an upfront payment of $3.5 million and up to $157.75 million in additional milestone payments for the development of PAH and PH-ILD indications and commercial sales outside of North America. Royalties payable by Liquidia to Pharmosa on global net sales of L606 have not changed and remain two tiers of low, double-digit royalties as set forth in the original agreement.