LONDON (Alliance News) - GlaxoSmithKline PLC said Tuesday that, along with Theravance Inc, it will be launching a phase III study for the combination treatment of fluticasone furoate/vilanterol for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Glaxo said that positive results from the study would help to support a potential filing of the treatment in Japan.
The study will last for 12 weeks and will evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatment compared to treatment with only vilanterol. The treatments are administered via the Ellipta inhaler.
Earlier Tuesday Glaxo announced that it had signed a three-part inter-conditional transaction with Novartis AG to sell off its Oncology portfolio, acquire Novartis' global Vaccines business, and create a dually-offered Consumer Healthcare business.
The transaction is designed to drive sustainable sales growth, improve long-term earnings and deliver increasing returns to shareholders, it said. Glaxo shareholders will receive GBP4 billion capital return funded by net cash transaction proceeds and expected to be delivered via a B share scheme.
Shares in Glaxo were trading up 5.4% at 1,643.50 pence Tuesday afternoon, the third biggest gainer on the FTSE 100.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; hanassmith@alliancenews.com; @HanaSSAllNews
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