BUZZ-Hikma, Vectura: Shares down, generic Advair delayed again

** Shares (Berlin: DI6.BE - news) of Hikma Pharmaceutical fall 6 pct at open, now down 2 pct, with Vectura down 5.3 pct

** Hikma fails to find quick resolution in dispute with U.S. FDA over plans to launch a generic copy of GlaxoSmithKline (Other OTC: GLAXF - news) 's popular lung drug Advair, delaying any eventual approval of the generic version of the drug

** U.S. regulators insisted Hikma conduct a further clinical study evaluating its generic version of the drug

** Partner on the project Vectura says this meant a potential approval and launch of the generic inhaled medication could come in 2020 if all goes well

** Hikma says after discussions with FDA "there remains an outstanding issue regarding the clinical endpoint study"

** FDA upholds its original determination and requested the completion of an additional clinical endpoint study - Hikma

** YTD: Hikma -21.6 pct, Vectura -34.2 pct (RM (LSE: RM.L - news) : justin.varghese.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)