Glaxo, Theravance Launch Relvar Ellipta in Japan

The latest medicament from GlaxoSmithKline and Theravance is about to hit pharmacy shelves in Japan. The latter announced in an SEC filing that the two companies' Relvar Ellipta treatment has been launched in that country, less than two months after it won approval by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Theravance is now obligated to make a milestone payment of $10 million to GlaxoSmithKline contingent upon the launch.

Relvar Ellipta is used to treat asthma in patients 12 and older. It also combats chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (known better as COPD) in adults. It is taken once per day in the form of a dry powder inhaler.

The news comes several weeks after the two firms announced that Relvar Ellipta had been granted marketing authorization in 31 European countries.

The article Glaxo, Theravance Launch Relvar Ellipta in Japan originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Eric Volkman has no position in any stocks mentioned, and neither does The Motley Fool. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.