Press release
Jul 27, 2013

First in class once-daily dual bronchodilator Ultibro® Breezhaler® (QVA149) gains positive CHMP opinion for the treatment of COPD


  • QVA149 (indacaterol/glycopyrronium) is the first once-daily fixed-dose combination of both a LABA and a LAMA bronchodilator to gain positive CHMP opinion 
  • Pivotal Phase III IGNITE data showed QVA149 significantly improved lung function and patient-reported outcomes including breathlessness and rescue medication use, compared to current standard of care1 
  • QVA149 demonstrated significantly reduced rates of COPD exacerbations and improved health-related quality of life compared to open-label tiotropium 18 mcg and glycopyrronium 50 mcg2,3
Tokyo, Japan – 27 July 2013: Sosei Group Corporation (“Sosei”; TSE Mothers Index: 4565) confirms the information released by Novartis that the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion for approval of once-daily Ultibro® Breezhaler® (indacaterol 85 mcg/glycopyrronium 43 mcg delivered dose, equivalent to 110 mcg/50 mcg metered dose per capsule), as a maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ultibro Breezhaler was developed under the name of QVA149.
 
QVA149 is an investigational fixed dose combination of two bronchodilators, indacaterol, a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) and glycopyrronium, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA).
 
QVA149 significantly improved the rate of all exacerbations compared to open-label (OL) tiotropium 18 mcg, glycopyrronium 50 mcg3. The rate of moderate or severe exacerbations was significantly lower compared to glycopyrronium 50 mcg and numerically lower compared to OL tiotropium 18 mcg2,3.
 
In clinical studies, QVA149 demonstrated an acceptable safety profile with no meaningful differences between the treatment groups (placebo, indacaterol 150 mcg, glycopyrronium 50 mcg, OL tiotropium 18 mcg, SFC 50 mcg/500 mcg) in the incidence of adverse and serious adverse events2,4,5.
 
The European Commission generally follows the recommendations of the CHMP and normally grants a marketing authorization within three months of the opinion. Worldwide submissions and reviews of QVA149 are ongoing with US filing expected at the end of 2014.
 
About the IGNITE clinical trial program
 
In the Phase III IGNITE clinical trial program, QVA149 is being investigated for the treatment of COPD patients as an inhaled, once-daily, fixed-dose combination of indacaterol maleate and glycopyrronium bromide. IGNITE is one of the largest international clinical trial programs in COPD comprising 11 studies in total (ILLUMINATE, SHINE, BRIGHT, ENLIGHTEN, SPARK, BLAZE, ARISE, BEACON, RADIATE, LANTERN, FLAME) with more than 10,000* patients across 52 countries3,6-17. The first eight studies (ILLUMINATE, SHINE, BRIGHT, ENLIGHTEN, SPARK, BLAZE, ARISE, BEACON) completed in 2012. The studies were designed to investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerability, lung function, exercise endurance, exacerbations, shortness of breath and quality of life in patients treated with QVA149.
 
Results from five of the Phase III IGNITE trials3,6-9 supported the CHMP’s positive opinion for QVA149 which demonstrated statistically significant improvements in bronchodilation versus treatments widely used as current standards of care1. Data showed that QVA149 significantly improved bronchodilation compared to OL tiotropium 18 mcg, SFC 50 mcg/500 mcg, indacaterol maleate 150 mcg, glycopyrronium 50 mcg and placebo providing a rapid onset within five minutes, and sustained bronchodilation during a 24 hour period which was maintained for up to 26 weeks, along with symptomatic improvements1,3,7,8. These symptomatic improvements included breathlessness, exercise tolerance, rescue medication use and health-related quality of life3-6.
 
*Total refers to all 11 IGNITE studies. 
 
References:
1. Vogelmeier C et al. Once-daily QVA149 provides clinically meaningful improvements in lung function and clinical outcomes versus placebo, indacaterol, glycopyrronium, tiotropium and salmeterol/fluticasone in patients with COPD. [ATS abstract 40759; Session C45; Date: May 21, 2013 Time: 8:15 -10:45].
2. Decramer M et al. Safety and tolerability of QVA149, glycopyrronium and tiotropium in patients with severe to very severe COPD: the SPARK study. [ATS abstract 41616; Session A43; Date: May 19, 2013 Time:10:45-12:30].
3. Wedzicha JA et al. Analysis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations with the Dual Bronchodilator QVA149 Compared with Glycopyrronium and Tiotropium (SPARK): a Randomized, Double-blind, Parallel-group Study. Lancet Respir Med 2013 http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(13)70052-3/abstract [Accessed 18 July 2013]
4. Welte T et al. QVA149 once daily is safe and well tolerated in patients with COPD: the SHINE study. [ATS abstract 41616; Session A43; Date: May 19, 2013, 8:15-16.30].
5. Vogelmeier C et al. QVA149 once daily is safe and well tolerated in patients with COPD: the ILLUMINATE study. [ATS abstract 41633; Session A43; Date: May 19, 2013, 8:15-16.30].
6. Beeh K et al. QVA149 once daily improves exercise tolerance and lung function in patients with COPD: the BRIGHT study. [BTS Winter Meeting 2012, Poster presentation P191; Date: 6 December; Time: 16:00-17:30].
7. Vogelmeier CF et al. Efficacy and safety of once-daily QVA149 compared with twice-daily salmeterol/fluticasone in patients with COPD (ILLUMINATE): a randomised, double-blind, parallel group study. Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2013; 1 (1): 51-60.
8. Bateman ED et al. Dual bronchodilation with QVA149 versus single bronchodilator therapy: the SHINE study. European Respiratory Journal http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2013/05/30/09031936.00200212.full.pdf [Accessed 18 July 2013].
9. Dahl R, et al. Safety and efficacy of dual bronchodilation with QVA149 in COPD patients: The ENLIGHTEN study, Respiratory Medicine, 2013 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2013.05.016 [Accessed 19 July 2013]
10. Mahler D et al. Superior lung function with once-daily QVA149 translates into improvements in patient reported breathlessness compared with placebo and tiotropium in COPD patients: the BLAZE study. [ATS abstract 45308; Session C20; Date: May 21, 2013 Time: 8:15-10:45].
11. ClinicalTrials.gov, November 2012. Long Term Safety and Tolerability of QVA149 Versus Tiotropium in Japanese Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (ARISE). [Online] Available at: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01285492?term=%28ARISE%29&rank=4 . [Accessed 18 July 2013].
12. ClinicalTrials.gov, n.d. Comparison of Safety and Efficacy of the Combination Product QVA149A Against the Concurrent Administration of the Individual Components, QAB149 and NVA237, in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (BEACON). [Online] Available at: www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01529632?term=BEACON&rank=6. [Accessed 18 July 2013].
13. ClinicalTrials.gov, n.d. Comparison of Long-term Safety of the Combination Product QVA149A Against Placebo and Standard of Care Treatment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients With Moderate to Severe Airflow Limitation (RADIATE). [Online] Available at: www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01610037?term=GLISTEN&rank=1 .[Accessed 18 July 2013].
14. ClinicalTrials.gov, n.d. A 26-week Treatment Randomized, Double-blind, Double Dummy, Parallel-group Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of QVA149 (Indacaterol / Glycopyrronium Bromide) Compared to Fluticasone/Salmeterol in Patients With Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. [Online]. Available at: www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01709903?id=01709903&rank=1. [Accessed 18 July 2013].
15. FDA Access Data, n.d.Spiriva Medical Review Part 2. [Online] Available at: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2004/21-395_Spiriva.cfm. [Accessed 18 July 2013].
16. FDA Access Data, 2003.Advair Medical Review. [Online] Available at: www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2003/021077_S003_ADVAIR_DISKUS.pdf. [Accessed 18 July 2013].
17. ClinicalTrial.gov, n.d. A 52-week Treatment, Multi-center, Randomized, Double-blind, Double Dummy, Parallel-group, Active Controlled Study to Compare the Effect of QVA149 (Indacaterol Maleate / Glycopyrronium Bromide) With Salmeterol/Futicasone on the Rate of Exacerbations in Subjects With Moderate to Very Severe COPD (FLAME). [Online] Available at: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01782326?term=COPD+novartis+52&rank=2. [Accessed 18 July 2013].
18. EMA. 2012. Seebri Breezhaler EU Summary of Product Characteristics. [Online] 17 October 2012. Available at: http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR__Product_Information/human/002430/WC5001337 69.pdf. [Accessed 18 July 2013].
19. D'Urzo A et al. Efficacy and safety of once-daily NVA237 in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD: the GLOW1 trial. Respiratory Research 2011;12:156.
20. Kerwin E et al. Efficacy and safety of NVA237 versus placebo and tiotropium in patients with COPD: The GLOW2 study. Eur Resp J 2012;40(5):1106-1114.
21. Beeh K et al. Once-daily NVA237 improves exercise endurance from first dose in patients with COPD: the GLOW3 trial. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2012;7:503-513.
22. Colthorpe P et al. Delivery characteristics of a low-resistance dry-powder inhaler used to deliver the long- acting muscarinic antagonist glycopyrronium. J Drug Assessment 2013;2:11-16.
23. Pavkov et al. Characteristics of a capsule based dry powder inhaler for the delivery of indacaterol. CMRO 2010; 26; 11:2527–2533. doi:10.1185/03007995.2010.518916.
24. Joshi M et al. Symptom burden in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. Obstructive, occupational and environmental diseases. 2012;18(2).
25. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Updated 2013. http://www.goldcopd.org/guidelines-globalstrategy-for-diagnosis-management.html. [Accessed 18 July 2013].
26. Global Alliance Against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD). Global surveillance, prevention and control of chronic respiratory diseases: a comprehensive approach. Available at: http://www.who.int/gard/publications/GARD%20Book%202007.pdf. [Accessed 18 July 2013].
27. Fletcher MJ et al. COPD Uncovered: An International survey on the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on a working age population. BMC Public Health 2011;11:612.
 
 

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