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GSK study shows COPD ‘superiority’ for Anoro Ellipta versus Stiolto Respimat

GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) study showed that Anoro Ellipta is more effective than Stiolto Respimat in improving lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Anoro Ellipta is a combination of two bronchodilators in a single dry powder inhaler, the Ellipta. It includes umeclidinium (UMEC), a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and vilanterol (VI), a long-acting beta2 agonist (LABA).
The company has reported positive data from a study comparing a once-daily long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and a long-acting beta agonist (LABA) fixed-dose combination, Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium/vilanterol 62.5mcg/25mcg; UMEC/VI) and Stiolto Respimat (tiotropium/olodaterol 5mcg/5mcg; TIO/OLO) for symptomatic patients with COPD.
The eight-week, open-label and cross-over study with 236 patients has met primary endpoint, which is the demonstration of non-inferiority of UMEC/VI compared to TIO/OLO in improving lung function.
It was measured by trough FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second) at week eight.
The head-to-head study is said to be the first direct comparison of two fixed-dose once-daily LAMA/LABA combination therapies for COPD.  It was conducted at 34 centres across Germany, Spain, UK and US.
GSK global respiratory head and SVP Eric Dube said: “Improving lung function is a clear goal in patients with COPD. The challenge for healthcare professionals to date has been the lack of differentiation within the LAMA/LABA class.
“That is why we have conducted this study, as the first in-class head-to-head comparison of two fixed-dose once-daily LAMA/LABAs.”