GSK's triple drug cuts flare-ups in chronic lung disease

By Ben Hirschler

LONDON, Sept 6 (Reuters) - An experimental three-in-oneinhaled drug from GlaxoSmithKline significantly cutflare-ups in patients with chronic lung disease in a clinicaltrial, researchers said on Tuesday.

GSK is ahead of rivals AstraZeneca and Novartis in developing a "closed triple" inhaler and plans tofile the new treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) for regulatory approval this year.

The study found patients taking the new triple therapy for24 weeks had 35 percent fewer moderate or severe exacerbationscompared to those on AstraZeneca's two-in-one Symbicort. Thereduction was 44 percent in a subset treated for up to 52 weeks.

Such flare-ups are a major concern in COPD since they causebreathing problems that can be life-threatening.

GSK, the global leader in respiratory medicine, is facingcompetition from cheap generics to its older Advair inhaler,prompting the company to invest in novel therapies.

Although there is some debate as to how doctors would decidewhen to move patients onto triple therapy, GSK views the newinhaler as a big opportunity and CEO Andrew Witty has said itcould be an "absolute clincher" for its respiratory strategy.

Britain's biggest drugmaker and its partner Innoviva had reported in June that the clinical trial met itsmain goals of improving lung function and quality of life, butthe secondary exacerbation data was only revealed at theEuropean Respiratory Society congress in London this week.

GSK's once-daily triple inhaler combines the drugsfluticasone, umeclidinium and vilanterol. The idea is to usethree different mechanisms to help open the airways of patientswith more severe disease.

Another large clinical trial looking at this combination'sability to reduce COPD exacerbations is expected to complete in2017.

GSK's former blockbuster Advair already faces genericcompetition in Europe and could see the arrival of cheapcopycats in the United States next year. But the group stillbelieves it can grow respiratory medicine sales, driven by theforthcoming launch of the triple product and other new drugs. (Editing by Alexander Smith)