GlaxoSmithKline commences new COPD drug trials

GlaxoSmithKline has announced the commencement of two clinical programmes for a pair of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatments.

In association with partner Theravance, the firm has initiated a phase III trial programme for the once-daily LAMA/LABA combination bronchodilator treatment GSK573719/vilanterol, which will involve more than 5,000 patients.

Meanwhile, the companies will also begin a study of their drug Revolair among 16,000 COPD sufferers who are at risk from cardiovascular disease.

The former trial will aim to establish a safety and tolerability profile for the developmental treatment, while the latter will assess the survival benefits of Revolair among the patient group in question.

Darrell Baker, senior vice-president for GlaxoSmithKline's respiratory medicines development centre, said: "Cardiovascular risk factors remain a very important cause of morbidity and mortality in this disease and this study is crucial to assessing whether Relovair can benefit these patients."

This comes after the company announced last week that it has also begun phase III clinical studies for GSK2118436 and GSK1120212, two new treatments for metastatic melanoma.