Almirall license to Daewoong in Korea aclidinio.

– it is estimated that around 13% of the Korean population of age 40 and older suffer from disease pulmonary obstructive chronic (COPD) 1

-the aclidinio, a new therapeutic option, is awaiting response regulatory United States and Europe

Barcelona and Seoul, February 2012.- Almirall and Daewoong announce the signing of an agreement whereby Almirall cedes to Daewoong exclusive rights for the aclidinio in Korea for the treatment of COPD (obstructive Chronic pulmonary disease).

Daewoong be responsible for the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of the aclidinio in Korea. The economic conditions of the agreement have not been revealed.

With this third agreement, Almirall extends the global reach of its respiratory compound of own research. “Previous agreements already cover USA and Japan.

“COPD is a disease that affects 13% of the population and is not always diagnosed and treated properly. Daewoong pharmaceutical company with extensive experience in the Korean market and who joined us a long relationship, share the desire to improve the quality of life of persons ”, says Eduardo Sanchiz, Chief delegate of Almirall.

Dr. Jongwook Lee, Daewoong Pharmaceuticals’s Chief delegate, adds that in Korea COPD is a disease whose visibility is increasing and this implies a remarkable growth of its market, advances in diagnosis and treatment. Daewoong are very pleased to expand our relationship with Almirall and count a new product such as aclidinio, that will allow us to offer a more beneficial treatment and to improve the quality of life of patients ”.

The aclidinio a new therapeutic option that comes from the respiratory franchise research Almirall, stands for registration in the USA and Europe in 2011. Two novel regulatory responses are expected in 2012.

The aclidinio and the Genuair ® inhaler

The aclidinio is a novel inhaled muscarinic antagonist (sometimes known as anticholinergic) long action with a long period of permanence in the M3 receptors and a shorter period of permanence in recipients M2, result of the r & d of Almirall. When administered by inhalation, aclidinio bromide leads to bronchodilation by inhibiting the contraction of the smooth muscle of the Airways. Aclidinio bromide hydrolyzes rapidly in human plasma in two major inactive metabolites. Almirall gave Forest the aclidinio marketing rights to (1) the prevalence of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Korea: fourth national survey of Korea of health and nutrition, 2008 U.S. and Kyorin Japan. Almirall and Forest participate jointly in the development of the drug.

Aclidinio bromide administered to patients from the trials through a new multi-dose dry powder (MDPI), Genuair ® inhaler. Genuair ® inhaler was designed with an intuitive alert system, which through a “colored control window” and an audible click confirms that the patient has inhaled their doses correctly. Also incorporates important safety features such as a visible indicator of the dose, a mechanism that prevents the occurrence of a double administration and a lock at the end of the dosage system to avoid the use of an empty inhaler.

COPD

The World Health Organization (who) has described COPD as a global epidemic; It is estimated that worldwide there are 64 million people with COPD and more than three million people died from the disease in 2005, amounting to 5% of all deaths globally in a year. He is expected to total deaths as a result of COPD to increase by more than 30% over the next 10 years if there is no intervention measures to tackle risks, in particular, exposure to tobacco smoke.

The most common symptoms of COPD are breathlessness, an increased effort to breathe, feeling of heaviness (or ‘ need to take air ’), production of an excess of mucus and chronic cough. Some people feel that they are out of breath. These symptoms get worse with exercise, in the case of a respiratory infection or during an exacerbation, i.e., the time periods in which occurs a sudden resurgence of the symptoms and the disease gets worse. COPD affects the ability to breathe. It is a progressive disease, meaning that COPD worse with time. This condition implies that the ability to breathe is affected and because of this, everyday activities can be more expensive as the disease gets worse. There are important medical needs not met in the treatment of COPD and new treatments can be valuable.

Almirall

Almirall, is an international pharmaceutical company based on innovation and committed to health. The headquarters, located in Barcelona (Spain), investigates, develops produces and sells drugs own r & d and licensing with the aim of improving the health and well-being of people.

The therapeutic areas in which concentrates its resources in research are related to the treatment of asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), gastrointestinal disorders, psoriasis and other skin forms.

Currently, Almirall products are present in more than 70 countries, with direct presence in Europe and Latin America through 12 subsidiaries.

Daewoong

Daewoong is a leading Korea company with a turnover of nearly $ 700 million in 2010 and ranks first in the pharmaceutical market of Korea of the South in terms of totals of reimbursement requested, according to the health insurance agency.

Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has made numerous successful alliances with multinational pharmaceutical companies and launched several products of great success in the Korean market.

Daewoong has expanded its operations of business in Asia and currently develops strategies for the global market. Daewoong products is present in more than 13 countries, with direct presence in Asia through 6 branches.

Referencia:

(1) The prevalence of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Korea: fourth national survey of Korea of health and nutrition, 2008.