Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Carlyle Adds to COVID Portfolio with Vectura Pharma


The Carlyle Group announced its intended purchase of Vectura Pharmaceuticals, a maker of inhaled medications.  Bloomberg reported Vectura is working on COVID-19 medicine.

A study on treatments for COVID-19 long hauler stated:

“long-haulers” or individuals with Long COVID – experienced symptoms and complications beyond the initial period of acute infection and illness like difficulty breathing or pulmonary diffusion abnormality, for months following the onset of infection. For asthma sufferers with known or suspected COVID-19, breathing difficulty can be particularly debilitating making finding treatments that can be conducted safely at home an additional concern. 

BioSpace reported:

While there are a myriad of symptoms associated with the illness often referred to as long COVID, including brain fog and fatigue, a large number of the therapies currently in development are geared toward the lasting lung fibrosis and respiratory problems.

Seeking Alpha stated:

Vectura makes drug delivery solutions for inhaled pharmaceuticals. It has 13 key inhaled and 11 non-inhaled products marketed by partners with global royalty streams, and a "diverse partnered portfolio of drugs in clinical development."

The company's in-market products include Seebri, Breezhaler and Neohaler, a DPI device and bronchodilator; AirFluSal Forspiro for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); Breelib for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension; Relvar Ellipta/Breo Ellipta that is used in treating asthma and COPD; and Incruse Ellipta, Anoro Ellipta, and Trelegy Ellipta for the treatment of COPD. It is also developing VR315 (US) for the treatment of asthma and COPD.In addition, the company offers dry powder inhalers, pressurized metered dose inhalers, and nebulized devices.

Carlyle built a robust COVID-19 portfolio since February 2020.  Vecture appears to be its latest addition. 

Vectura has a mere $5.7 million in debt and employs 502 people.  These can change dramatically after private equity underwriters take over.  The greed and leverage boys have plans to profit handsomely from Murano Bidco and  COVID long haulers.

Update 7-10-21:  Philip Morris outbid Carlyle for Vectura.   Carlyle bought vaccine and gene therapy maker Unchained Labs to add to its COVID-19 portfolio.  

Update 8-16-21:  Carlyle increased its bid, but so did Philip Morris.  Vectura's board selected Philip Morris as the winner.