Nektar wins EU orphan status for inhaled drug

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Nektar wins EU orphan status for inhaled drug

Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:30am ET

http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?

view=CN & storyID=2006-09-18T123019Z_01_L15271096_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-

NEKTAR.XML & rpc=66 & type=qcna

LONDON, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR.O: Quote,

Profile, Research) said on Monday its experimental Amphotericin B

Inhalation Powder product had won " orphan " status in Europe for the

prevention of pulmonary fungal infections.

The European Medicines Agency gives orphan status for drugs treating

rare diseases affecting less than five in every 10,000 people. An

orphan drug designation provides 10 years of potential exclusivity

if the product candidate is approved for marketing.

Fungal infections that start in the lungs are rare but can be very

difficult to treat and are often fatal.

The European move follows similar orphan status granted to the

product in the United States.