Sandoz to acquire Oriel Therapeutics, gaining rights to portfolio of respiratory products targeting asthma and COPD

Sandoz to acquire Oriel Therapeutics, gaining rights to portfolio of respiratory products targeting asthma and COPD · Sandoz gains rights to three promising development projects, as well as to novel FreePath(TM) drug delivery system and Solis(TM) multi-dose dry powder inhaler · Regulatory approvals, if achieved, would broaden access to affordable, high-quality respiratory medicines and reinforce Sandoz leadership in differentiated generics Sandoz has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Oriel Therapeutics, a privately held US pharmaceuticals company, gaining exclusive rights to a portfolio of generic drug candidates and related technologies targeting medicines in the inhalable respiratory drug market. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Oriel focuses on developing respiratory products with known pathways as generic alternatives to patented drugs for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Regulatory approvals of these medicines, if achieved, would enable Sandoz to increase access to affordable, high-quality therapeutic alternatives for these increasingly prevalent diseases. Details of Oriel's development programs, including anticipated timing of future regulatory submissions, are not disclosed for competitive reasons. "Oriel is a strong strategic fit with Sandoz and the acquisition is expected to support our strategy of increasing the number of differentiated, higher-value products in our development pipeline," said Jeff George, Division Head Sandoz. "One of our strategic objectives is to offer fully substitutable generic versions of key branded medicines, including respiratory medicines.