AstraZeneca, Bespak ink deal for metered-dose inhaler

AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) said last week that it inked a multi-year commercial supply deal with Consort Medical (LON:CSRT) subsidiary Bespak for its pressurized metered-dose inhaler technology.

Bespak will supply inhaler valves and actuators for use with AstraZeneca’s inhaled aerosol treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

AstraZeneca won FDA approval in April for the aerosol, Bevespi Aerosphere (glycophrrolate and formoterol fumarate), indicated for long-term, maintenance therapy in patients with COPD.

“We are delighted to have successfully concluded this agreement with AstraZeneca,” Consort Medical CEO Jon Glenn said in prepared remarks. “This further reinforces the ongoing strength of our respiratory device franchise in the pMDI segment.”

As of today, AstraZeneca has not made a formal statement about the deal.

The deal for Bespak comes just months after the FDA delayed its decision date for Consort’s generic Advair inhaler to March 2017, which distracted analysts from their impressive finish in fiscal 2016.