Boehringer Ingelheim has acquired global rights to Funxional Therapeutics’ Phase II oral anti-inflammatory drug FX125L, a potential first-in-class somatotaxin, as well as a somatotaxin development programme. The deal will strengthen Boehringer Ingelheim’s respiratory pipeline, which includes the long-acting beta agonist olodaterol and nintedanib for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The company already markets the blockbuster COPD therapy Spiriva® (tiotropium bromide).