Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXA) announced today that it has established a collaboration with Biovail Laboratories International SRL, a subsidiary of Biovail Corporation (NYSE: BVF), to develop and commercialize AZ-004 (Staccato® loxapine) in the U.S. and Canada. AZ-004 is Alexza's lead program, based on the company's proprietary technology, the Staccato system. Alexza submitted its New Drug Application (NDA) for Staccato loxapine in December 2009. Alexza is seeking regulatory approval to market AZ-004, an inhalation product candidate developed for the rapid treatment of agitation in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
"We are very excited to be partnering our lead program with Biovail. Their key strategic focus and their CNS commercial plans match our view of an ideal partner for AZ-004," said Thomas B. King, Alexza President and CEO. "We believe that AZ-004, if approved, has the potential to change the treatment practices for acute agitation, as the only product able to meet both the patients' desire for quickly and comfortably gaining control of their agitation, and the clinicians' goal of rapidly and reliably calming an agitated patient.
"This agreement provides Biovail with a promising late-stage specialty CNS product," said Bill Wells, Biovail's Chief Executive Officer. "In clinical studies conducted by Alexza, Staccato loxapine rapidly delivered drug into the blood stream through the deep lung in a unique, non-invasive manner. We are delighted to be partnering with Alexza to bring this important treatment to market."