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.”