Novartis recently announced encouraging data from a clinical trial evalutating the efficacy of once-daily Ultibro Breezhaler (indacaterol/glycopyrronium bromide) for reducing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) flare-ups.

The report was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Findings from the study dubbed FLAME, are expected to impact the future disease management and treatment of patients with COPD.

Flare-ups (exacerbations) are life-threatening aggravations in the COPD patient’s respiratory system that increase the likelihood of hospitalization. Even when the intense physical effects of the events are present over a short period of time, exacerbations can present significant interruptions in a patient’s daily life and overall wellbeing.

Prevention of COPD exacerbations is a primary goal of long-term care for patients with the disease.

In a press release, Dr. Kenneth Chapman, director of the Asthma and Airway Centre of the University Health Network in Toronto and a professor medicine at University of Toronto said the FLAME study proved the ability of Ultibro Breezhaler to reduce flare-ups and underscored the importance of bronchodilators as a foundation for COPD patient care.

“Preventing exacerbations preserves the health and quality of life of patients struggling with COPD. The FLAME study results greatly improve our understanding of COPD management,” Chapman said.

The FLAME clinical trial included 3,362 COPD patients and was conducted in 43 countries. The primary goal of the trial was focused to demonstrate that Ultibro Breezhaler was not inferior to salmeterol/fluticasone in managing COPD exacerbations during a treatment period of 52 weeks. Fluticasone is a glucocorticoid.

Ultibro Breezhaler is a steroid-free, once-daily double bronchodilator approved in more than 40 worldwide.