Japan approves Seebri

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) approved Seebri glycopyrronium bromide Inhalation Capsules ( NVA237) from Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) as a once-daily inhaled maintenance bronchodilator treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The product will be available in Japan by year end. The approval is the first for the inhaled long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist (LAMA). Novartis has global rights to Seebri from Vectura Group plc (LSE:VEC) and Sosei Group Corp. (Tokyo:4565), which will each receive a $2.5 million payment triggered by the approval. Vectura was up 2p to 86.50p on Friday. Sosei gained Y13,000 to Y245,000. ...