LONDON, Nov 18 (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline andTheravance's new inhaled lung drug Relvar has beenapproved in Europe to treat both asthma and chronic obstructivepulmonary disease (COPD), confirming an endorsement fromregulators in September.
The medicine, which is inhaled through a palm-sized devicecalled Ellipta, consists of a corticosteroid to reduceinflammation and a novel long-acting beta-agonist (LABA), whichis designed to open the airways.
It was approved in May in the United States, where it iscalled Breo, but only so far to treat COPD.
The approval will trigger a $15 million payment to GSK fromTheravance, with a further $15 million due when the product islaunched, GSK said on Monday.