Almirall reports strong Ph IIa data on LABA drug

Leading Spanish drugmaker Almirall intends to push ahead with developing LAS100977, its new once-daily inhaled long-acting beta agonist for the treatment of asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. "We are already starting discussions with potential partners towards development and future commercialization of the product," said Eduardo Sanchiz, chief executive of corporate development and finance. The firm said it hopes to find a partner for the agent next year. In a Phase IIa single-dose, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled (salmeterol 50mcg), cross-over study in 25 stable asthmatics, a clinically-relevant and statistically-significant improvement in peak area under the curve and forced expiratory volume in one second were seen for all doses of LAS100977. Single doses of the agent were safe and well tolerated in asthmatic patients. Adverse events related with adrenergic stimulation were reported in a dose-dependent manner, but none clinically relevant, Almirall said.