According to the American Lung Association, more than 33 million people suffer from chronic lung disease, with Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) being the most common conditions.
Boehringer Ingelheim has a long history of devoting research resources to investigating respiratory diseases. At this year’s annual European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress in Munich, Germany, Boehringer Ingelheim will announce crucial advancements for the current treatment for COPD and asthma, as well as for a rare condition of unknown causes called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
COPD: New Proposed Treatment Based On Combination of Tiotropium + Olodaterol Respimat® Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC)
A recent submission to European and US regulatory agencies was based on the data retrieved from the 52-week Phase III study, called TONADO™, to establish a new treatment based on the administration of tiotropium + olodaterol Respimat® FDC. In the study, patients’ clinical outcome was determined between two groups — a group treated with the FDC treatment of tiotropium + olodaterol delivered via Respimat® Soft Mist™ Inhaler compared to the single administration of tiotropium (trade name SPIRIVA®) or olodaterol (trade name Striverdi). The results for the treatment of COPD will be presented for the first time and constitute a critical study with more than 5,000 patients carrying COPD.
These findings further support the role of Spiriva®, which has been on the market for more than 10 years as a pivotal treatment for patients with COPD.
The risk for COPD exacerbations, which refers to an increase in disease severity such as lung attacks, will be presented as the result of an extended analysis of one of the largest COPD trials, TIOSPIR™. The risk for lung attacks was also diminished when using Spiriva® as a treatment option.
Asthma: the Role of Tiotropium Respimat® in Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) Therapy
Currently, inhaled corticosteroids constitute the most common treatment for asthma. These treatments can be delivered with or without long-acting beta agonist (LABA) therapy. However, patients using this form of treatment may still experience asthma symptoms and risk on asthma exacerbations. Results from the large UniTinA-asthma® international Phase III clinical trial program will introduce the positive impact of adding tiotropium Respimat® to ICS maintenance therapy.
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): The Role of Nintedanib Treatment, Twice a Day
An investigation into the role of nintedanib treatment at 150 mg delivered twice a day will also be presented as part of the two-Phase III INPULSIS™ trials. The results to be presented include an improvement in lung function in IFP patients, accompanied by a decline in disease progression.