Altana delays Roflumilast registration

Altana (AAA) delayed the planned European filing for its Roflumilast to the end of 2003 from the end of 2002. Roflumilast, a selective phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor, is partnered with Pharmacia (PHA) and is in Phase III testing to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). AAA said the delay will allow it to gather more data to better characterize the compound's pharmacoeconomics and market potential. The delay also will allow PHA to submit these additional data as part of its Roflumilast U.S. registration package. At 3:32, AAA was off $3.90 to $41.35 on Thursday. ...