United Therapeutics Corp. has handed back the North American rights of inhaled drug-device combination product RT234 to Respira Therapeutics, Inc.
RT234 is in a mid-stage study assessing if the combination product can be used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension — a rare, progressive disorder characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.
Respira will now have full worldwide research, development and licensing rights for the product.
United Therapeutics ended the collaboration after a strategic prioritization of assets in its product development portfolio. The company, however, retains its minority preferred equity stake in Respira.
Silver Spring, Md.-based United Therapeutics acquired the license for RT234 to treat pulmonary hypertension symptoms in North American markets as part of a strategic collaboration with Respira in April 2017.
Under the collaboration, research and development costs of RT234 were supported by United Therapeutics, but the company no longer has any future funding obligations.
