Novartis reports positive trial data for Onbrez Breezhaler

Novartis has published data from a phase III clinical trial which highlights the efficacy of Onbrez Breezhaler in alleviating symptoms suffered by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Results from the Insist study showed Novartis' once-daily indacaterol treatment was significantly superior to a twice-daily salmeterol regime in improving lung function and reducing breathlessness among sufferers.

It means the drug was able to meet its primary efficacy endpoint in the clinical trial, a 12-week study which involved 1,123 patients aged 40 years or above from seven different countries.

The data was supported by additional findings from the separate Inlight trial, which also demonstrated the drug's superior lung function improvement potential.

Dr Trevor Mundel, global head of development at Novartis, said: "This study affirms our confidence in this medicine and in the indacaterol-based combination therapies currently under development."

Last month, the company reported positive progress from its ongoing clinical development programme for INC424, an investigational therapy for the rare blood cancer myelofibrosis.