CHIRON AND NEKTAR BEGIN CLINICAL PROGRAM EVALUATING TOBRAMYCIN

Chiron and Nektar Therapeutics have initiated clinical testing in the Phase III program evaluating tobramycin inhalation powder (TIP), an investigational inhaled antibiotic. The TIP program includes two clinical trials and will evaluate the efficacy and safety of TIP in the treatment of lung infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients living with cystic fibrosis (CF).

TIP is used with a pocket-sized, capsule-based inhaler that is designed to provide a fully portable, quick and convenient inhalation system. Clinical data from a Phase I trial of TIP suggests that it may significantly reduce the treatment burden for CF patients by offering a short administration time and full portability.