Pfizer terminates asthma drug deal with Altana

The company is said to have ended the partnership after a study revealed that the drug Daxas, an oral anti-inflammatory product, was not as effective as the two companies had hoped.

In the trial, Daxas demonstrated that it was able to improve lung function, but could not achieve significant reduction in the rate of total exacerbations. Under the terms of their agreement, Pfizer held an option to return all its rights in Daxas to Altana.

The move looks set to deal a major blow to Altana, which had been banking on Daxas to eventually bring in over $1.2 billion in annual sales. It had also provided Altana with an opportunity to break away from its proprietary ulcer treatment, Pantoprazole, and gain a new source of revenue.

However, the company seems determined to continue the production of the new drug on its own. It was reported as saying that Pfizer is still planning to work with the company to promote another drug, called Detrol, and a separate collaboration with Japan’s Tanabe Seiyaku on Daxas will carry on.

Altana is also apparently undeterred in its plans to make an acquisition in the chemicals industry.