New drug treatment for COPD receives FDA approval

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved umeclidinium 62.5 mcg (Incruse Ellipta), an anticholinergic agent, for the long-term treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. The drug is a once-daily maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction delivered via inhaler, according to a GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) news release.

Umeclidinium was approved following the results of a phase 3 pivotal program that included seven clinical studies and more than 2,500 patients who have COPD.

GSK expects that launch activities in the United States will begin in the fourth quarter of this year.

Sandra Hoban

Sandra Hoban was on I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living’s editorial staff for 17 years. She is one of the country’s longest-serving senior care journalists. Before joining Long-Term Living, she was a member of the promotions department at Advanstar Communications. In addition to her editorial experience, Sandi has served past roles in print and broadcast advertising as a traffic and talent coordinator.