FDA approves Boehringer Ingelheim COPD treatment

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new product for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease made by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said.

The company announced the approval of Combivent Respimat (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate), delivered in a propellant-free inhaler that uses a slow-moving mist to deliver the same active ingredients as the Combivent Inhalation Aerosol. The new product is expected to become available in mid 2012, BI said.



"Combivent Respimat is a testament to our company's dedication and focus on making meaningful developments in respiratory medicine," Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals president and CEO Greg Behar said. "Leveraging our extensive respiratory therapeutic experience and a long history of bringing innovative medicines to patents, we continue to expand our strong clinical program examining the potential of several late-stage investigational compounds also delivered by the Respimat inhaler."

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