Vectura receives milestone payment from Boehringer Ingleheim
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Vecturais to receive another €7.5 million milestone payment from Boehringer Ingelheimas part of the two companies' asthma and COPD deal. Vectura, which has been developing a multi-dose dry powder inhaler to deliver Boehringer Ingelheim's respiratory disease products, previously received licensing and milestone payments of €20 million and a €10 million equity investment from the German company. Though no details on what the milestone was connected to were released, Piper Jaffray analysts speculated that it was triggered by progress in the development of a drug/ device combination. The analysts added that the milestone is another sign that the collaboration is progressing well and that it should aid negotiations between Vectura and third parties that the company may wish to license its products to. Vectura could receive further milestones that could be up to €20 million for each drug that is approved, Piper Jaffray said. The UK company will also receive royalties on global sales of Boehringer Ingelheim products delivered using the inhaler.