FDA approves Acton asthma drug

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Acton Pharmaceuticals for asthma, the company said Thursday.

The drug maker announced the approval of Aerospan (flunisolide HFA) inhalation aerosol as a maintenance treatment for asthma in patients aged 6 and older. The drug maker plans to launch the drug in early 2013.

Asthma affects more than 24 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and healthcare market research firm IMS Health estimates the market for inhaled steroids to be worth $8.3 billion.