Verona's RPL554 meets in Phase IIb for COPD

Verona Pharma plc (LSE:VRP; NASDAQ:VRNA) reported top-line data from a Phase IIb trial in 403 patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) showing that all four doses of RPL554 (VMX554, VRP554) as maintenance treatment met the primary endpoint of improving peak forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) at four weeks vs. placebo (p<0.001 for all). RPL554 led to absolute changes from baseline of over 200 mL in peak FEV1 after four weeks. The company also said the peak bronchodilator effect was observed after the first dose and sustained throughout the trial.

Patients in the double-blind, European trial received placebo or twice-daily 0.75, 1.5, 3 or 6 mg RPL554 and were required to withhold use of regular long-acting bronchodilator therapy for the duration of the trial...