Acton Pharma gets USFDA nod for an inhaled steroid to treat asthma

Acton Pharmaceuticals, Inc Friday said it has secured approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of its supplemental New Drug Application for an inhaled steroid to treat asthma, the news reports said.

The FDA approved the application for AEROSPAN, an oral corticosteroid used in treating asthma in adults and kids six and under.

Post getting the approval, the respiratory therapeutics company now plans to launch AEROSPAN into $8.3 billion inhaled steroid market in early 2013, the company said.

Acton Pharma bought AEROSPAN new drug application under the licensing agreement with Forest Laboratories, Inc in 2009.

Acton President Daniel Kreisler said, “Acton anticipates commercial launch of AEROSPAN in the first quarter of 2013 as we build out our sales and marketing infrastructure and evaluate strategic partnerships.” Mr. Kreisler also said, “Our ongoing commercial preparations include building product inventory as well as finalizing the introduction of Aerospan to manage care plans and initiation of pre-launch marketing activities.”

As per the Center for Disease Control, there are more than 24 million Americans with asthma and the disease is the cause for nearly 2 million emergency visits each and $11.5 billion in healthcare costs.

Acton Pharmaceuticals, Inc is a respiratory specialty pharmaceutical company. It focuses on acquisition, development, and commercialization of products to treat allergic, pulmonary, and other respiratory related diseases.