Fisons licensing agreements include deal for Ciba's iralukast; RPR closing in on takeover.

Executive Summary

FISONS AND CIBA TO COLLABORATE ON IRALUKAST DEVELOPMENT FOR ASTHMA, Fisons announced Sept. 29. Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate on development and marketing of Ciba's leukotriene d4 antagonist iralukast in a powder formulation for delivery via Fisons' Ultrahaler delivery system. "The arrangements between the parties contemplate and provide for the possibility of further cooperation in relation to follow-up compounds, devices and alternative delivery systems," Fisons added. Iralukast will begin Phase III trials in 1996, Ciba said; the Swiss firm plans to introduce a formulation using its own single-dose dry powder device before completing development of the Ultrahaler formulation.