Sandoz announced that it is in-licensing the commercial distribution rights to a respiratory inhalation medicine from Kindeva Drug Delivery.

Princeton, N.J.-based Sandoz in-licensed the rights to the brand and authorized generic of Proventil HFDA (albuterol sulfate) inhalation aerosol, which is immediately available to U.S. patients, according to a news release.

Albuterol sulfate is used to treat patients four years and older suffering from bronchospasm, which consists of the muscular coating of bronchial tubes contracting, leading to a narrowing of the breathing airways.

Sandoz said there has been a surge in demand for these medicines over the past year, with hospitals increasingly gravitating toward the use of metered-dose albuterol inhalers instead of nebulizers to treat COVID-19 patients.

The company added that pharmacies noted an uptick in demand for albuterol inhalers after the CDC recommended that Americans stock up on necessary medications.

“With the commercial distribution rights to the brand and authorized generic of Proventil HFA, we are excited to work to increase supply and help ensure patients who need albuterol have access to this important medicine,” Sandoz president Keren Haruvi said in the release. “This deal delivers on our strategy to grow our respiratory portfolio and brings us closer to our ambition to be the world’s leading and most valued generic company.”

“We are pleased to partner with Sandoz on the distribution of the authorized generic of Proventil from our manufacturing site in Northridge, California,” added Kindeva Drug Delivery CEO Aaron Mann. “Combining Kindeva’s long track record of formulating, developing and manufacturing complex combination drug products with the Sandoz legacy of successfully commercializing critical drug therapies will help more patients access this important medicine.”