Novartis (NYSE:NVS) said today that it out-licensed its U.S. commercial rights for 3 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease drugs to Sunovion Pharmaceuticals. Novartis will commercialize the Utibron Neohaler, Seebri Neohaler, and Arcapta Neohaler inhalation powders outside of the U.S.
The Switzerland-based company will manufacture the inhaled powders for Sunovion, according to the agreement.
“Given the evolving market dynamics, we believe these products will have the greatest impact in the US when commercialized by a company with an established presence in the COPD field,” Novartis president Fabrice Chouraqui said in prepared remarks. “Novartis will continue to focus on areas in the US where we have strong capabilities and leadership, and can bring the greatest value to physicians and patients.”
In November, the company reported that is was backing off a 2016 start date to test is autofocusing contact lens in clinical trials, but it told Reuters that the product is “progressing steadily”. Novartis and Google (NSDQ:GOOGL). inked a partnership 2 years ago to develop an autofocusing lens for people with presbyopia and a lens that can measure blood glucose levels in diabetes patients.
CEO Joe Jimenez said in 2014 that he hoped the lens would be on the market in 5 years and last year he said his company’s Alcon eye care unit was on track to begin clinical trials in 2016.
