Almirall's COPD drug performs well at Ph IIa

Spanish drugmaker Almirall says that data from a trial of its novel anticholinergic agent, aclidinium bromide, demonstrate that it brings about a rapid, and long-acting brochodilatory effect in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The firm added that the findings, which were presented at the European Respiratory Society Annual Congress in Stockholm, Sweden, support the results from earlier studies in which the drug showed selective airway activity and a favorable safety profile.

The majority of the presentation was based on data from a Phase IIa study that assessed one of three single inhaled doses of the drug, 100mcg, 300mcg or 900mcg, in COPD sufferers. The results showed that mean lung function, in terms of forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity, was significantly improved in treated patients over a 24-hour period compared with placebo. In addition, the onset of therapeutic benefit was seen as early as fifteen minutes after administration and was sustained for at least 24 hours, with some doses producing bronchodilation lasting for 32 hours.