FDA Approves New COPD Treatment

GSK receives approval for Incruse Ellipta in the US for the treatment of COPD

/ Author:  / Reviewed by: Joseph V. Madia, MD Beth Bolt, RPh

The FDA has approved a new treatment to help COPD patients breathe easier.

GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Incruse™ Ellipta® (umeclidinium) as an anticholinergic indicated for the long-term, once-daily, maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.

Umeclidinium is GSK’s first once-daily anticholinergic, a type of bronchodilator also known as a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), and is contained in the Ellipta® inhaler. The FDA-approved strength is 62.5 mcg.

Darrell Baker, SVP & Head, GSK Global Respiratory Franchise, said: “We believe Incruse Ellipta, our first monotherapy in the anticholinergic class, will be an important once-daily treatment option for appropriate patients with COPD. GSK has a long-standing commitment to the development of respiratory medicines in order to offer physicians a choice of treatment options for their patients. We are delighted by this approval, and are looking forward to making Incruse Ellipta available for appropriate patients with COPD in the US.”

Following this approval by the FDA, it is anticipated that launch activities in the US will commence during the fourth quarter of 2014.

The phase III pivotal programme for umeclidinium included seven clinical studies which involved over 2,500 COPD patients treated with umeclidinium or placebo.

Review Date: 
April 30, 2014