Thursday, April 30, 2015

US FDA approves Glaxo, Theravance's Breo Ellipta asthma drug - Reuters

<span id="midArticle_start"/>April 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administrationon Thursday approved the sale of Breo Ellipta as a once-dailytreatment for asthma in patients aged 18 and older,GlaxoSmithKline and Theravance Inc said.

<span id="midArticle_0"/>The FDA declined to approve Breo for younger asthmasufferers. The agency, in a so-called complete response letter,told the companies that additional data would be required tofurther demonstrate Breo's safety and efficacy in thatpopulation.

<span id="midArticle_1"/>The FDA's decision came after an FDA advisory panel ofexperts had voted 16-4 that Breo Ellipta should be approved foruse by adults. It voted 19-1 that available data did not supportapproval for use in children aged 12 to 17.

<span id="midArticle_2"/>Breo Ellipta should not be used for the relief of acutebronchospasm, the companies said.

<span id="midArticle_3"/>Bernstein analyst Tim Anderson had forecast Breo salesreaching $750 million in 2020.

<span id="midArticle_4"/>The drug consists of a corticosteroid, which reducesinflammation, and a long-acting beta-agonist called vilanterol,which is designed to open the airways.

<span id="midArticle_5"/>Glaxo licensed the drug from Theravance in 2002.

<span id="midArticle_6"/>The inhaled treatment was previously approved to treatchronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, a condition thatincludes emphysema, chronic bronchitis or both. (Reporting by Bill Berkrot in New York; Editing by LeslieAdler)

<span id="midArticle_7"/>


via Smart Health Shop Forum http://ift.tt/1dz36WU

No comments: