Boehringer Ingelheim reports positive data from COPD drug trial

Boehringer Ingelheim has announced positive findings from the first phase III trial of a promising new combination therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Results from the Vivacito study revealed that the once-daily fixed-dose combination of tiotropium and olodaterol was able to improve lung function of COPD patients to levels significantly above those achieved with tiotropium or olodaterol alone, or with placebo.

Further findings from the wider TOviTO phase III trial programme will be released later this year and are expected to further showcase the efficacy and safety of this treatment, and how its benefits in lung function translate into meaningful benefits to patients in their daily lives.

Klaus Rabe, professor of pulmonary medicine at the University of Kiel, said: "A few years ago, we would simply not have thought this level of improvement would be possible."

The TOviTO phase III trial programme will feature more than 8,000 patients and will be one of the largest COPD drug trials to date.

Tiotropium, one of the two components of the new combination therapy, is sold under the brand name Spiriva. Earlier this week, the company reported data from a new study analysis that showed how this drug can help protect patients from COPD exacerbations.