The once-daily tablet roflumilast is an orally administered phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) enzyme inhibitor.
Data from four randomized placebo controlled trials have shown that roflumilast reduces exacerbations and improves lung function when added to first-line maintenance therapy.
As per the agreement, Almirall will pay an undisclosed upfront payment to Nycomed.
Almirall COO Luciano Conde said they expect roflumilast to generate sales as of this year and could become one of Almirall’s key products in the midterm.
Nycomed Commercial Operations executive vice president Guido Oelkers said since their local launch earlier this year, they have received a very positive response from Spanish physicians, which confirms their conviction of the potential of this important new approach for the treatment of COPD.