GlaxoSmithKline has begun Phase III testing on a combined treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with its US project partner Theravance. The global study is the first to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a triple combination of three drugs in 10,000 patients with COPD, all in a single 'closed' inhaler device.The three drugs are fluticasone furoate (FF), an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS); umeclidinium (UMEC), which is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA); and vilanterol (VI), a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA). Together they are known as FF/UMEC/VI. The study will test if FF/UMEC/VI can reduce the annual rate of moderate and severe exacerbations compared with two existing combinations on the market, a FF/VI combination and an UMEC/VI combination. Dave Allen, GSK's Head of Respiratory Therapy Research and Development, said: "When developing our respiratory portfolio we recognised the need to offer a range of molecules that could be co-formulated in different combinations to meet the needs of individual patients. "We know from the scientific literature and prescribing data that there are already COPD patients who receive three medicines in different inhalers, for whom a once-daily treatment in a single 'closed' device could be valuable. "The IMPACT study will be important in advancing our understanding of how the combination of FF/UMEC/VI could be used in this setting when compared to dual combination therapy options."Shares in GSK were up 0.68% to 1,554p at 10:30 on Wednesday.OH