Having sold its only candidate to Roivant Sciences Ltd., San Diego's Patara Pharma Inc. is re-launching as Respivant Sciences Inc., becoming the 13th "Vant" launched by the Basel-based conglomerate. Current plans call for a phase IIb dose-ranging study of the drug intended to reduce chronic cough in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which is set to begin in the first quarter of 2019. The drug, RVT-1601, is a new formulation of the well-known mast cell stabilizer cromolyn sodium, intended for delivery via a nebulizer already used in other approved products.