AZ asthma candidate enters Ph I trials

Anglo-Swedish drug major AstraZeneca has announced the commencement of Phase I clinical trials for its novel therapeutic agent AZD8848, indicated for the treatment of respiratory inflammation and developed in collaboration with Japanese firm Dainippon Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals.

Under the terms of the accord, AstraZeneca will maintain worldwide exclusive development and commercialization rights to the candidate, apart from the USA and major European countries, where it shares rights with DSP, and Japan, where the latter will have exclusivity.

DSP also has exclusivity to market the agent in China, South Korea and Taiwan, but AstraZeneca has the option of co-commercializing in those countries as well. After the launch of the product, AstraZeneca will pay running royalties on sales to its partner.