Positive phase 3 data for Boehringer Ingelheim’s asthma drug
Hannah Blake
pharmaphorum
Boehringer Ingelheim has announced positive phase 3 clinical trial data for its asthma drug, tiotropium Respimat. The UniTinA-asthmaTM trial programme found that tiotropium delivered once daily via Respimat significantly improved lung function and reduced asthma exacerbations in patients who remain symptomatic despite treatment with at least ICS†/LABA‡, irrespective of their allergic status.
The global pharma company reported these new findings at the 2013 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &, Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.
"Patients with asthma may respond differently to treatment based on their allergic status, therefore it is important to investigate new therapies in both allergic and non-allergic patients. The results of these trials show that tiotropium provides additional bronchodilation and reduces exacerbation rates in asthmatics who are symptomatic on current therapy with at least ICS/LABA regardless of their allergic status, demonstrating its potential benefit for patients who need additional asthma control."
Dr. Mark Vandewalker, MD, director, Clinical Research of the Ozarks, Columbia, Missouri.
In the overall study population of 918 patients, adding tiotropium Respimat® provided significant lung function improvements at 24 weeks, which were sustained over 48 weeks. Also, patients who received tiotropium Respimat had a 21% risk reduction in time to first severe exacerbation.
"The UniTinA-asthmaTM trial programme is exploring whether tiotropium can address the clear unmet medical need seen in the significant number of asthma patients who remain symptomatic despite the available therapeutic options. This programme demonstrates our commitment to develop tiotropium Respimat® for a wide range of asthma patients.”
Professor Klaus Dugi, Corporate Senior Vice President Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim.
Estimates of the numbers of people affected by asthma worldwide vary from 235 to 300 million.
Related news:
New data from Boehringer Ingelheim's tiotropium Respimat Phase III UniTinA-asthma programme (News-medical.net)
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