Boehringer Ingelheim presents positive efficacy data for tiotropium in asthma patients

German family-owned drug major Boehringer Ingelheim presented a new subset of data from the Phase III UniTinA-asthma program relating to its already-marketed drug Spiriva (tiotropium) at the 2013 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

In pre-specified subgroups from two paired clinical trials, tiotropium delivered once daily via the Respimat inhaler improved lung function and asthma control, as defined by a decrease in asthma exacerbations or worsening of asthma, in patients with poorly controlled asthma, irrespective of their allergic status. Patients included in the study remained symptomatic despite current treatment with at least high dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting beta agonists (LABA).

"Patients with asthma may respond differently to treatment based on their allergic status, therefore it is important to investigate new therapies in both allergic and non-allergic patients," said Mark Vandewalker, director, clinical research of the Ozarks, Columbia, Missouri, USA, adding: "The results of these trials show that tiotropium provides additional bronchodilation and reduces exacerbation rates in asthmatics who are uncontrolled on current therapy with at least ICS/LABA regardless of their allergic status, thus demonstrating its potential benefit for patients who need additional asthma control."