Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd and Lung Therapeutics, Inc. announced an exclusive license agreement of LTI-01, a recombinant human single-chain urokinase plasminogen activator, currently under development by Lung Tx for loculated pleural effusions, for the territory of Japan.
Under the terms of the agreement, Taiho will obtain the rights for the development and commercialization of LTI-01 in Japan. Lung Tx will receive an upfront payment, milestone, and royalty payments based on product sales.
Loculated pleural effusion (LPE) is a condition in which fluid is trapped within the pleural cavity due to fibrinous adhesions, leading to pain, shortness of breath and possibly sepsis. There currently are no approved drug treatment options for this condition. LTI-01 is anticipated to promote drainage in LPE patients by lysis of fibrinous scar tissue in the pleural cavity.
“We are delighted to announce this new collaboration with Lung Tx for LTI-01,” said Masayuki Kobayashi, President and Representative Director of Taiho. “Bringing together two companies’ expertise and strengths, we believe we can further contribute to patients’ QOL by providing a solution to an unmet medical need in the respiratory field.”
“LTI-01 has the potential to be the first and only approved therapeutic for loculated pleural effusion patients,” stated Brian Windsor, CEO of Lung Tx. “We are honored to partner with Taiho, a Japanese pharmaceutical company with a commitment to the respiratory field, for the development and commercialization of LTI-01 in Japan. Together, we intend to address a serious unmet medical need that affects thousands of patients each year.”