Colobreathe® is an inhaled antibiotic for the management of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis patients

The acquisition will help ensure continued access to an important medicine for this vulnerable patient population

First rare disease medicine to be added to the Essential Pharma product portfolio

Zug, Switzerland and Egham, UK – 8 January 2024 – Essential Pharma, an international specialty pharma group focused on ensuring that patients have sustainable access to low volume, clinically well-established pharmaceutical products across key therapeutic areas, announces that it has completed the acquisition of European rights to Colobreathe® from Teva Laboratories UK Limited.

Colobreathe® is indicated for the management of chronic pulmonary infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) in patients with cystic fibrosis aged 6 years and older. Bacterial lung infection with PsA is frequent in cystic fibrosis patients due to the accumulation of mucus in the lungs which allows bacteria to grow more easily causing infections, lung damage and breathing problems. There are two elements to Colobreathe®, a capsule containing the active pharmaceutical ingredient and a Turbospin inhaler to deliver the drug.

Under the terms of the acquisition, Essential Pharma has acquired the rights to Colobreathe® across European markets; the product is currently marketed across more than 20 countries in Europe, including the UK. The acquisition represents the first rare disease product acquisition for the group and further establishes Essential Pharma as a leading specialty pharma business ensuring the continual supply of niche medicines of high clinical importance to patients, healthcare providers and carers.

Emma Johnson, CEO of Essential Pharma, commented: “Our singular focus is on ensuring patients can maintain sustainable access to vital medicines. Colobreathe® is an important treatment for a serious complication that arises frequently among cystic fibrosis patients. Our acquisition of the European rights to this medicine, which will become our first product indicated for treatment in a rare disease, will help ensure that cystic fibrosis patients in Europe have continued access.”