Alliance to Develop Drug for Asthma, COPD

An agreement to collaborate on commercializing a new drug for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been announced by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals S.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals India (GPL, Mumbai, India) and Forest Laboratories, Inc. (New York, NY).

GRC 3886 is a novel, orally available phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor being developed for chronic COPD and asthma by Glenmark. PDE4 inhibitors target the underlying cause of both COPD and asthma by blocking inflammation through a nonsteroid dependent mechanism. GRC 3886 is now entering phase I clinical trials in the United Kingdom. In preclinical studies, the compound appears to be effective and well tolerated when given at pharmacologic doses.

Forest will develop, register, and commercialize the compound for use in North America, while Glenmark will retain commercialization rights for the rest of the world. Forest will make an upfront payment to Glenmark upon initiation of the agreement, will make other milestones payments, and will earn a royalty on net sales of the product.

"Forest has consistently demonstrated exceptional development, sales, and marketing skills and we are very excited to partner with them on this product,” said Glen Saldanha, M.D., CEO of Glenmark.



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