Novartis' inhaler tops GSK's in Phase III COPD trial

Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) said Ultibro Breezhaler indacaterol/glycopyrronium bromide met the primary endpoint of non-inferiority and demonstrated superiority to Seretide salmeterol/fluticasone propionate from GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE:GSK; NYSE:GSK) in the Phase III FLAME trial to reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) exacerbations over one year of treatment.

The trial included 3,362 moderate to very severe COPD patients with at least one exacerbation in the past year. Data from FLAME will be presented next year. ...