GlaxoSmithKline, Theravance tout new data on COPD drugs

In the race for new COPD drugs, GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) and Theravance ($THRX) have released new data from a slew of late-stage studies of their LAMA/LABA combo for COPD. The key finding is that their 125/25mcg combination of GSK573719 or meclidinium bromide (UMEC), a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and vilanterol (VI), a long-acting beta2 agonist (LABA) provided a statistically significant improvement when going head-to-head with Spiriva. The dual drug outperformed the individual ingredients as well. In one potential hitch, "UMEC/VI 125/25mcg showed a numerical but not statistically significant improvement (37mL) compared with UMEC 125mcg." The two companies are paired up on two COPD programs in a move to replace Advair. The partners say the new numbers will back up their regulatory filings for the treatment beginning at the end of this year as they race promising rivals for an approval. Release | More