Alkermes and Lilly to collaborate on inhaled osteoporosis drug

Forteo, normally delivered via injection, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of osteoporosis in 2002. The development program will utilize the Alkermes Air pulmonary drug delivery system.

Under the terms of the agreement, Alkermes will receive funding for product and process development activities and upfront and milestone payments. Lilly will have exclusive worldwide rights to products resulting from the collaboration and will pay Alkermes royalties based on product sales.

Alkermes will have responsibility for non-clinical development activities, primarily formulation testing and device development, whilst Lilly will have responsibility for all other non-clinical development activities as well as all clinical development and regulatory activities.

“We believe that the Alkermes technology has the potential to increase compliance and ultimately improve clinical outcomes for patients with osteoporosis,” said Patricia Martin, executive director of osteoporosis products for Lilly.