An asthma treatment developed by Chippenham-based Vectura Group has earned another $2m (£1.38m) payment for the firm following publication of a clinical trial report in the US.
Last month Vectura confirmed its VR315 treatment had completed a US clinical trial, sending its shares to a record high.
The $2m has been triggered by completion of the report and is the first payment of a potential $21m to be earned on future milestones in the treatment’s development. 
VR315 uses Vectura’s innovative dry powder inhaler and formulation technology. It has been designed to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs) such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
The next planned milestone and announcement scheduled will be $10m due to be paid on acceptance for filing of the Abbreviated New Drug Application in the US by the regulator FDA (Food and Drug Administration). In addition, Vectura will receive a royalty from all sales of VR315 in the US.
In 2011 Vectura signed a licence agreement with US firm Roxane Laboratories – a subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation - to develop, manufacture and commercialise VR315 in the US. So far, Vectura has received a total of $12m as the drug reached certain development milestones under the agreement.
Vectura’s innovative technology for the treatment of airways diseases has been licensed to a number of major pharmaceutical firms.
