GlaxoSmithKline's Relvar Ellipta shows 'significant' test score for COPD

The pioneering Salford Lung Study by GSK and its partner on this drug Innoviva, also showed a similar improvement against patients who were taking a medicine in the same class as Relvar Ellipta, known as Breo Ellipta in the US.

The drug, which was jointly developed by Innoviva and GSK and will see Innoviva receive associated royalty revenues if approved and commercialized, was tested in 2802 patients with COPD in the randomised controlled trial in various hospitals in Manchester and Salford, which is being followed by a second Salford Lung Study currently being conducted in patients with asthma, with results expected in 2017.

Neil Barnes, GSK's global medical head of respiratory, explained that the study included a broad spectrum of patients who had minimal interventions "to see if this would allow us to observe a difference between treatments".

"The results from SLS provide robust evidence that will enable the healthcare community to begin to understand how the choice of COPD treatment can significantly influence patient outcomes. We are continuing to analyse the data from the study as we know there is so much more we will learn and we look forward to sharing our findings in future publications."

Innoviva chief Michael Aguiar said the study confirmed the effectiveness of Relvar Ellipta "compared with not only usual care, but also with those patients who were taking a different medicine in the same ICS/LABA class. These are important data to share with physicians, from a unique study carried out in conditions closely reflecting everyday clinical practice."