In 2006, we broadened our focus beyond infectious diseases with the acquisitions of two specialty biopharmaceutical companies, Corus and Myogen, which were working to address diseases that represent areas of significant unmet medical need. The promising late-stage product candidates along with the approved drug for the treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension gained through these acquisitions form the basis of our new respiratory and cardiopulmonary business. We believe these compounds will enable us to capture a significant share of the market in the treatment of cystic fibrosis-related lung infections, pulmonary arterial hypertension, resistant hypertension and other related diseases.

Respiratory Therapies

Cystic fibrosis (CF) impacts the lives of more than 70,000 people and their families worldwide. There is no known cure for this inherited chronic disease, which affects the lungs and digestive tract. Our acquisition of Corus enhances our development portfolio with compounds to treat respiratory infections, including one late-stage candidate for the potential treatment of cystic fibrosis-related lung infections.

Aztreonam lysine for inhalation was granted orphan drug status in the United States and the European Union.

Two pivotal Phase III clinical studies were initiated to determine the safety and efficacy of aztreonam lysine for inhalation in treating CF patients with P. aeruginosa infections. In late 2006, we announced positive results from the placebo-controlled AIR-CF2 study. We believe that aztreonam lysine for inhalation, if granted marketing approval, has the potential to become an important new CF treatment option.

Pulmonary infection with Gram-negative bacteria, particularly pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(P. aeruginosa), represents the single greatest cause of illness and death among people with CF. Developed by scientists at Corus, aztreonam lysine for inhalation is an antibiotic with activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including P. aeruginosa. The drug is delivered through a novel inhalation device, the eFlow^® Electronic Nebulizer, developed by PARI GmbH. PARI also contributed to the development and optimization of the drug formulation (aztreonam lysine) for efficient and fast delivery with the eFlow.