Zeltia in talks for U.S. sales licence -source

MADRID, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Spanish drug company Zeltia (ZEL.MC) is in talks with U.S. groups on a sales licence deal for its anti-tumour product Aplidina, a company source told Reuters on Monday.

Aplidina is Zeltia's second most developed compound to treat tumours, though the company has still not asked to register it with health authorities. The most advanced compound is Yondelis.

"Zeltia is in negotiations with a U.S. pharmaceutical company and another biotechnology firm there for the Aplidina sales licence, but no deal has yet been signed," the source said.

Last July, Zeltia applied for authorisation to sell Yondelis to treat soft tissue sarcomas in Europe but has still not had any reply. Zeltia already has a licence deal with U.S. group Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) for Yondelis.

In December, analysts at ING said a licence deal for Aplidina and European approval for Yondelis would be the main points to watch for in the next few months.