Skyepharma launches asthma drug Flutiform in Japan

19th Nov 2013 07:50

Drug developer Skyepharma has launched its Flutiform bronchial asthma treatment in Japan.Skyepharma's licensing partner Kyorin Pharmaceutical is marketing Flutiform and received a milestone of several million US dollars from Kyorin following regulatory approval in September 2013. Skyepharma is entitled to high-mid single digit royalties on net sales.Flutiform has already been approved in 21 countries in Europe and in Australia, Hong Kong, Israel and South Korea.Kyorin estimates that the Japanese market in Japan for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is worth up to $2.8bn, with asthma accounting for more than half of the total. Kyorin also estimates that there are some 3.3 to 3.5 million adult asthma patients in Japan.Kyorin is targeting sales of Flutiform in the financial year to March 31st 2014 following launch of about $10m. Skyepharma Chief Executive Peter Grant said: "Kyorin has already established a strong and highly successful position in the Japanese respiratory market and has built excellent relationships."Mitsutomo Miyashita, President of Kyorin added: "Kyorin is pursuing its franchise customer strategy, which focuses sales and marketing activities on its priority fields of respiratory medicine, otolaryngology and urology. "By concentrating on flutiform's early penetration of the market, Kyorin will strive to further reinforce its operational base in Japan."PW