Global pharmaceutical company Almirall and Quintiles, a fully integrated biopharmaceutical services company, have reached a long-term strategic partnership agreement to promote Almirall’s respiratory portfolio in the U.K. commencing with a new, long-acting antimuscarinic (LAMA) delivered via an innovative, multi-dose inhaler for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

After the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the EMA issued a positive opinion for the regulatory approval of Almirall’s new LAMA as a maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with COPD on May 28, 2012, the European Commission finally approved the medicine on July 24.

“We are proud to bringthe first product in a truly innovative respiratory franchise to the U.K. market. Our long-term alignment with Quintiles will help us to ensure that new therapeutic options are made available for COPD patients throughout the U.K.,” said Carlos Gallardo, general manager, Almirall U.K.

This strategic partnership deepens the relationship between the two organizations: Quintiles conducted part of the clinical study program in COPD and provides commercialization services to Almirall in multiple European countries.

The FDA also issued final positive feedback on Almirall’s first product in COPD on July 24.