India-based drugmaker Lupin has signed an agreement with Polish biopharmaceutical firm Celon Pharma to develop a fluticasone / salmeterol dry powder inhaler (DPI).

Under the deal, Lupin will take the responsibility for commercialisation of the product, which is a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) Advair Diskus.

Lupin CEO Vinita Gupta said: "We are very pleased to partner with Celon given their experience in the development and manufacturing of fluticasone/salmeterol DPI in Europe.

"This coupled with Lupin’s expertise in inhalation product development and commercialisation in the US and other markets will accelerate the development of generic Advair Diskus for global markets."

"This coupled with Lupin’s expertise in inhalation product development and commercialisation in the US and other markets will accelerate the development of generic Advair Diskus for global markets."

The DPI product will be supplied by Celon to Lupin for its commercialisation in the US, Canada, and Mexico, as well as other key markets.

As of last fiscal year, Advair Diskus reported global sales of around $7bn, according to Lupin.

Celon Pharma CEO and managing director Maciej Wieczorek said: "Our scientific and technical teams look forward to collaborating with Lupin to bring this product to major markets outside of Poland.

"We are enthusiastic and believe that both the companies would work together to complete a time bound research and development programme to ensure successful registration in targeted markets, for Lupin to effectively commercialise the product."

Lupin provides drugs in the cardiovascular, diabetology, asthma, paediatric, CNS, GI, anti-infective and NSAID space, as well as holds significant position in the anti-TB and cephalosporin segment.