Almirall asthma drug shows strong results

Spain's Almirall has reported new Phase II data demonstrating that its once-daily, inhaled long-acting beta-agonist LAS100977, a treatment for  bronchoconstriction in asthmatic patients, shows fast-acting and  24-hour efficacy, as well as a good safety and tolerability profile in  patients during multiple-dose administrations.

The multidose, placebo-controlled, three-period cross-over study  included 20 stable asthmatic patients on like doses of an inhaled  corticosteroid. Subjects were randomized to receive once-daily inhaled  treatment with one of three doses of LAS100977 or placebo for seven  days, using a capsule inhaler. Measurements of efficacy and safety were  taken at scheduled time points over 24 hours, on the first and last day.  Candidate shows superior FEV1 to placebo across all doses

Over a 24-hour period, the drug showed a sustained statistically- and  clinically-significant effect with the three doses and provided an onset  of action five minutes after the first administration. Trough and peak  forced expiratory volume over one minute was significantly superior to  placebo at all doses, according to the firm.