GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) recently announced that the company will present the most recent results obtained in a wide range of GSK studies, focused on their respiratory portfolio of approved medicines, at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) conference, taking place May 13-18, in San Francisco. These include approved medicines but also drugs under investigation and scientific collaborations. More than 50 abstracts will be presented at the conference.
Highlighted will be the novel analysis of the Study to Understand Mortality and MorbidITy (SUMMIT) trial with Breo® Ellipta® (fluticasone furoate/vilanterol or FF/VI 100/25mcg) – prescribed to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Researchers investigated how FF/VI 100/25mcg, administered once a day, impacts all-cause mortality in COPD patients, relative to placebo controls. The study endpoints included rate of lung function decline, measures of exacerbations, and pneumonia events.
Another highlighted study is GSK’s dual bronchodilator treatment Anoro® Ellipta® (umeclidinium/vilanterol, UMEC/VI), also used to prevent airflow obstruction or bronchospasm in COPD patients. The study investigated the efficacy and safety of UMEC/VI in patients with moderate COPD but who continue to present symptoms while on tiotropium monotherapy. The trial enrolled 494 patients, randomized to receive received either UMEC/VI 62.5/25mcg once a day or tiotropium 18mcg in the same regimen.
A study focusing on GSK anti-IL 5 monoclonal antibody Nucala® (mepolizumab), approved for patients who have a history of severe asthma attacks, will also be presented in two abstracts from the IDEAL study. In this study, designed as a cross-sectional, non-drug interventional study, researchers determined the eligibility of severe asthma patients for treatment with biologics.
Additionally, GSK’s study on its Ellipta® inhaler to improve symptoms in COPD patients, will also be presented at ATS.
Professor Neil Barnes, Global Franchise Medical Head, Respiratory commented in a press release provided by GSK to Lung Disease News, “ATS is an important scientific meeting for the respiratory community, which allows clinicians, patient groups and the pharmaceutical industry to share information and developments across the spectrum of respiratory diseases. We are committed to undertaking studies and sharing data at congresses such as ATS, which help advance knowledge about respiratory disease, communicate emerging data to physicians and contribute to the debate on how to improve management of asthma and COPD.”