GlaxoSmithKline starts phase III study of asthma treatment

GlaxoSmithKline has announced the start of a phase III study of its once-daily triple combination therapy fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol as a treatment for patients with asthma.

The study, which will be conducted in partnership with Innoviva Inc, will compare the treatment to once-daily dual combination therapy, Relvar/Breo.

The primary endpoint in the study is the change from baseline in trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second at 24 weeks of treatment and the key secondary endpoint is the annualised rate of moderate/severe asthma exacerbations. Other secondary endpoints are assessing health-related quality of life and symptom control.

Dave Allen, head of Respiratory R&D at GSK, said: “Despite the availability of treatments, many patients have asthma that is inadequately controlled. While some patients already receive triple therapy in two or more inhalers, we believe there will be real benefits from delivering the dual bronchodilators together with their inhaled steroid once a day in a single inhalation."

At 1030 GMT, Glaxo shares were down 0.5% to 1,518.50p.