GlaxoSmithKline, Theravance report positive results of asthma inhalant's phase 2b studies

LONDON Three phase 2b studies of an inhalant for treating asthma have yielded positive results, the two companies developing the drug announced Wednesday.

GlaxoSmithKline and Theravance said the inhalant fluticasone furoate, in a study involving more than 1,800 asthma patients, brought significant improvements in lung function compared to placebo.

"The strong results from these three studies demonstrate that fluticasone furoate shows promise as an efficacious, once-daily ICS," GSK SVP Respiratory Development Center Darrell Baker said in a statement.

Theravance CEO Rick Winningham said the studies' outcomes "delighted" his company.

"We are moving closer to achieving our objective of delivering effective, once-a-day inhaled medicines to patients with asthma and COPD," Winningham said.