Almirall commences EU rollout of Eklira Genuair

Almirall has announced the European launch of Eklira Genuair, a new maintenance therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among adult patients.

The Danish health and medicines authority has granted general reimbursement for the product, making Denmark the first EU nation to market the long-acting muscarinic antagonist.

Eklira Genuair is administered via the Genuair inhaler, which has been designed for maximum user-friendliness and includes a novel feedback mechanism that allows patients to remind themselves whether they have taken their medication.

Following its Danish debut, the product will be introduced in the UK and Germany in the coming months.

Eduardo Sanchiz, chief executive officer at Almirall, said: "The launch of Eklira Genuair in Denmark is the first step in the European roll out of this new therapeutic option for COPD."

This comes after the firm published positive data from a phase IIIb trial of Eklira Genuair earlier this month, showing the improvements in bronchodilation and COPD symptoms it can deliver.